One of the most common mood disorders worldwide that people deal with is anxiety. Anxiety can affect you, whether you’re a stay-at-home, busy young professional, or a senior living out their golden years. While it’s tempting to run straight to a psychiatrist and get prescribed pharmaceuticals that will instantly take your worries away, there are natural methods that could work just as well for you – not to mention are non-addictive. Self-help tips to beat anxiety abound online and from well-meaning loved ones worth heading. At the same time, if your anxiety is affecting you on a daily basis, it’s worth adding supplements that have been shown to reduce anxiety to help get you over the hump. Let’s look at these supplements and how they can help you.
Magnesium
Did you know that most people in the US are deficient in Magnesium? This mineral is crucial to regulating heart rhythm, normalizing blood pressure, and keeping your bones strong – it’s fantastic for anxiety! Magnesium is known to calm people with high stress or anxiety by blocking your more stimulating neurotransmitters and binding to calming receptors instead. This naturally puts you in a more relaxed and peaceful state. Magnesium can also help regulate the release of cortisol (the stress hormone). Another added benefit of taking Magnesium is you’ll be more regular, so if you struggle with constipation or any bowel issues, Magnesium can help.
GABA
Another supplement that’s shown to have great success for people who deal with anxiety is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA can improve your mood and promote deep relaxation & peace, which can help with anxiety or depression. GABA has also been shown to help relieve pain, so whether you suffer from pain and anxiety simultaneously or your chronic pain is the root of your mental health issues, GABA may be beneficial.
Probiotics
Over 80% of our body’s immune system is in our gut, but our gut is responsible for so much more than physical well-being and immunity. The gut is also known as the “second brain.” If you have an unhealthy gut microbiome, your mental and emotional well-being can be drastically affected too. Adding supplements that will help the microbiome and heal it will impact your mood, and you can see relief over time. While probiotic drinks and pills take longer to work on your mental health than GABA or Magnesium, it pays off in spades in the long run. Not only may your mental health improve, but your overall health and longevity will see a boost too.
Kava Root
There are many ways to utilize Kava to help with anxiety – from tinctures, teas, and salves – but most people who use it have been shown to find relief from intense anxiety symptoms. Kava gives a relaxing effect and can make you feel somewhat euphoric, making it an excellent choice for people who don’t mind feeling a little different from the supplements they take. Kava can also promote deep, restorative sleep on top of being shown to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. It is worth noting that because of its potential to cause liver damage, Kava is not legal in every country – it is legal in the US, though, due to its potential therapeutic and healing properties.
Passionflower
Passionflower has a long history of being used for seizures, insomnia, and anxiety. This powerful herb has been used for so long that it’s been well documented how safe and effective it is when used as directed. You can consume passionflower supplements in tinctures, capsules, or lozenges. Passionflower works for anxiety by increasing the amount of GABA production in the brain. Passion flower’s effects are much subtler and less intense than the above-mentioned supplements, so if you have low anxiety levels or want to try something lighter first, start with passionflower before the others.
Dealing with any mental health issue can feel debilitating, especially if it’s affecting your day-to-day life. While practicing mindfulness, eating a healthy diet, and staying physically active are all critical to your overall health and well-being, and mental health, supplementing all those healthy choices can only benefit you. If you’re looking to take control of your anxiety symptoms and prefer a more holistic approach, consider using some of the above-mentioned supplements to help you on your way. Here’s to your health!
