The Natural Survival Guide to the Holiday Season

Natural ways to break stress that are useful throughout the year work double duty during the holidays by helping you stay calm and enjoy them more. See naturopathic doctor Kate Rhéaume’s tips for naturally eliminating stress.

 

By Health First
2 min read
Le guide de survie naturelle à la période des Fêtes

Natural ways to bust stress that are helpful all year round work double duty over the holidays by helping you stay calmer and enjoy them more. Here are some natural stress relief tips from naturopathic doctor, Kate Rhéaume:

  1. Go with the flow

    If you haven’t heard about (or taken) adaptogens, this is the perfect time to discover Mother Nature’s botanical solution to stress. Adaptogens are herbal medicines that help us cope better with stress. Usually taken daily, adaptogens often lead to noticeable improvements in well-being in just a few days. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Siberian ginseng (Eleuthercoccus senticosus), lavender, and rhodiola rosea are some of the tried-and-true plants. Rhodiola rosea in particular is known to help boost mood, contributing to a sense of joy. Look for combinations of adaptogens as different herbs work synergistically.

  1. Stay calm, now

    Can’t find a parking spot at the mall? Just thinking about going to the mall? Sometimes we need stronger, more immediate help for stressful situations and even anxiety. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid found in small amounts in a number of fermented foods. It promotes a sense of calm and combats nervousness. GABA is available in chewable tablet form, offering quick relief from acute stress. Keep them in your purse or glove box to really help you out when you start to feel grumpy.

  1. Tired, but wired

    The holiday rush can disrupt sleep more than usual. Sleep aids to keep in your medicine cabinet include melatonin, L-theanine, and 5-HTP. Melatonin is the well-known sleep hormone that can work wonders in supplement form. L-theanine is an amino acid extracted from green tea that does not cause drowsiness per se, but calms an overactive mind to help you doze off. 5-HTP contributes to both sleep and mood by being a precursor to melatonin and serotonin. These ingredients work well separately or look for them together in specially designed formulas.

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year. Using natural remedies to alleviate stress and get better sleep helps to make the holidays merry and bright.