Four natural plant-derived supplements to help beat Covid-19 stress

As if there weren’t already enough stressors in the world, the Covid-19 pandemic is causing millions to experience stress like never before. Economic shutdowns are impacting birthday parties, weddings, funerals and trips to the gym. Even the ability to enjoy a restaurant meal with friends has been squashed by the coronavirus; in many areas restaurants require all diners at the table to live in the same household.

Many people were stressed out before the pandemic, but are now reaching their breaking point. Those who never considered natural remedies for stress are suddenly willing to try just about anything.

While your ultimate goal should be to calm someone’s mind and ground yourself in a relaxed state, the following natural supplements can help.

Cannabidiol (CBD) supplements

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a non-psychoactive extract from cannabis – specifically, hemp (as opposed to the infamous THC-rich plant). By law, CBD contains no more than 0.3% THC and won’t get you high. People take CBD for many reasons, but the most common usage is to achieve a state of calm.

Taking CBD is easy. Manufacturers make all kinds of CBD-infused products including capsules, oils and creams, but CBD-infused gummies are the most popular (and tasty) delivery method.

CBD hype is based in science

There is certainly plenty of hype around the benefits of CBD, but that hype is grounded in scientific fact. Just over ten years ago, the Journal of Pharmacology published a study proving CBD’s ability to reduce the symptoms associated with social anxiety disorder. One year later, another study found that CBD can reduce anxiety associated with public speaking.

Since then, hundreds of studies have been done to uncover the therapeutic benefits of CBD.

Magnesium

When the aim is to reduce stress and anxiety, the best place to start is to manage your sleep. Magnesium can help you get better, more restful sleep. You’re probably aware that your body produced melatonin to make you sleepy. Magnesium regulates melatonin, so if taking exogenous melatonin gives you adverse effects, magnesium may solve your sleep issues.

Getting a deep sleep each night is essential and if you miss that deep sleep for a period of time, you’ll become sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation causes your body to release stress hormones and will make you exceedingly irritable until your body gets proper rest.

Get the right kind of magnesium

Magnesium comes in many forms, including drops, powder you mix with water and oil-based sprays. All of these will introduce magnesium into your system, but go for the powder if you’re taking magnesium for sleep. Drops can taste strange and the sprays are better for alleviating muscle cramps quickly. Ingested magnesium will move through your whole body faster to calm your cells down so you can get a good night’s sleep.

L-theanine

L-theanine is one of the lesser-known stress-reducing supplements. However, you’ll often find it as an ingredient with natural sleep aids. For example, certain supplement brands make bedtime mixtures of magnesium, melatonin and L-theanine.

You may be surprised to learn that L-theanine is an amino acid that comes from tea leaves. If you’ve heard people say they prefer to enjoy a cup of tea before bed, they’re probably getting the calming effect from L-theanine.

L-theanine boosts neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA and dopamine, while helping reduce the chemicals that cause stress like cortisol. This amazing supplement also helps to create alpha brain waves – the same brain waves achieved through meditation and experienced during REM sleep.

Lemon balm

People have been using lemon balm to relieve stress and anxiety for years. Although, there haven’t been many conclusive scientific studies on the matter. Regardless, it’s easy enough to try for yourself to see how it works for you.

Lemon balm is part of the mint family and almost looks like yellow mint. It feels similar, but the smell and taste are distinct. You can grow lemon balm in your garden or in your house if you enjoy the scent.

The best way to enjoy lemon balm is to make lemon balm lemonade. If you want to experiment with a warm drink, try making the lemonade with warm water instead of cold.

Nature is full of wonderful therapies

Nature’s therapeutic properties are amazing. No matter what causes your stress, there’s always something plant-based that will help you feel better all around.

The editorial unit

The material contained in this article is of the nature of general comment only and does not give advice on any particular matter. Recipients should not act on the basis of this article’s information without taking appropriate professional advice.