In the modern era, it seems we are always on the go. Most days, we can’t even find a few minutes to ourselves. This culture of constant working is spoiling our mental and physical health. Sure, we can take medication to eliminate most diseases, but the effects of psychological conditions are often equally deadly and difficult to prevent and diagnose.
Living with Anxiety: How We Deal with Anxiety and Eliminate it
Today the global prevalence of common mental disorders is almost 30%. Much of this is due to the fact that we seem to have a poor understanding of psychic diseases. We also wrongfully believe that psychological disorders are temporary and easy to eliminate. Anxiety is one of the most prevalent disorders that affect between 20% to 49% of the general population. Depression is also another common mental disorder, affecting 16 million people in the United States alone. Due to such high prevalence rates, research has found that these disorders need the same care and attention as physical diseases or ailments.
How Does Anxiety Affect Us?
People suffering from anxiety or depression often find it difficult to fulfill their duties with energy and efficiency. They find it tough to open up socially and will lock themselves up in a room to avoid public settings. This causes their overall health to deteriorate as their mental state gradually breaks down.
Anxiety is a serious disorder often associated with some other underlying issue. People can also have anxiety due to environmental stress or family issues. It can be very troublesome and can lead to exhaustion and stress. Most of the time, we feel lethargic and uneasy for no particular reason. If anxiety is left unchecked, it can turn into a serious complication.
The Best Natural Supplements for Anxiety Relief
There are different sedatives and relaxing pills used widely in hospitals and homes that might give you temporary relief but can be harmful in the long-term. Therefore, using natural remedies to treat anxiety is very advantageous. Here are some natural supplements and remedies which you can use to cure your anxiety immediately.
Kratom
This natural plant grows in the Southeastern parts of Asia and has been used as medicine for thousands of years. Recently, Kratom has become popular in the Western world as a natural plant for energy, relief, and general well-being. Many celebrities have endorsed this herbal supplement as a “miracle plant”. These people include:
- Joe Rogan (celebrity announcer and TV personnel)
- Chris Bell (Netflix director and film producer)
- Dorian Yates (9-time Mr. Olympia winner)
Today, Kratom is known to naturally heal various ailments including pain, anxiety, depression, lack of energy, and sleep disorders. In the U.S., more than 5 million people are reportedly using Kratom for various purposes. And millions more around the world were once hopeless due to their medical conditions, but found a natural supplement that helped them live a normal life again. The most common ways to consume Kratom are as teas, capsules, and extracts.
Magnesium
A very important mineral for your body’s basic metabolism, Magnesium is involved in speeding up over 600 reactions in your body, including:
- Energy creation: creating energy by breaking down food
- Protein formation: converting amino acids into proteins
- Gene maintenance: creating and repairing DNA and RNA.
- Muscle movements: contracting and relaxing the muscles
- Nervous system regulation: directing neurotransmitters, which send messages between your nervous system and brain.
Magnesium also regulates important chemical components and helps your body absorb these components better. It is a very important mineral to your body indeed. People suffering from anxiety are often experiencing a magnesium deficiency. Studies indicate that 50% of people in the US get less than the recommended daily intake of magnesium. For people with anxiety, magnesium can be a good supplement to help them alleviate their symptoms.
Fish Oil
An ingredient very rich in omega-3 fatty acid which are required for the proper functioning of our body. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to keep our bodies in good health. Two specific omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have shown good results in lowering anxiety. They have also been associated with proper fetal development, enhanced cardiovascular function, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Many anxiety patients have treated their symptoms by supplementing fish oils to their diet and by applying fish oils ointments topically.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that helps control inflammatory reactions inside our body. It has also shown to provide remarkable results in lowering anxiety levels for patients. Vitamin E antioxidants also protect our skin cells and tissues from extensive damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Unfortunately, ROS are naturally occurring species and exists through the mere fact of breathing and metabolizing oxygen. However, certain environmental stress such as high UV or heat exposure (being out in the sun too much) can increase the level of ROS and lead to lethal and irreversible damage to our skin cells and tissues. Therefore, the presence of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds such as vitamin E is very important to maintain the health of our skin and give us a beautiful “glow”.
Vitamin D
The association between and vitamin D deficiency from a lack of sun exposure is well documented and was first noticed 2,000 years ago by a gothic novelist. Recent studies also show that most anxiety patients have low levels of calcidiol, a by-product of vitamin D breakdown. A study in 2017 showed that women with type-2 diabetes and anxiety saw an improvement in depression symptoms after taking vitamin D supplements. The compound also plays an important role in maintaining the balance of our nervous systems and helping our bodies regulate calcium absorption. Overall, treating anxiety patients with Vitamin D supplements can be effective. But health authorities believe more studies are required as several studies have produced mixed results.
GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that functions as a neurotransmitter in your brain. It works by inhibiting (or blocking) certain brain signals in your nervous system, such as anxiety, stress, pain, and fear. It is used to produce a calming effect in your body. Studies show that GABA supplements increase feelings of relaxation during a stressful event. Furthermore, these relaxing effects are felt within an hour of taking the supplement. Popular fermented foods such as kimchi, miso, and tempeh are also known to contain GABA.
CBD Oil
Cannabidiol products have become very popular all around the world. They are known to have strong psycho-active effects which aid the body in eliminating or reducing pain within minutes. Aside from its pain-relieving potential, CBD oil is widely used to treat depression, anxiety and other psychological illnesses. It works by regulating the cannabinol system in our body which is closely associated with our central nervous system. These systems work together to maintain good mental health.
