Almost everyone these days experiences some form of ‘stress’ in one form or another: work, home life, parenting, school, and so on. But stress has become so common that we sometimes forget that stress affects us unnaturally, which can negatively impact our health. Women are also often more affected than men.
While it may never be possible to truly get rid of all the stress, there are some natural ways to cope with the daily grind and ease the strain on our mental and physical health.
Stress and women: why it’s harder on the brain
Research shows that women are more susceptible to the side effects of stress, especially when their overwhelming workload becomes a chronic part of their normal existence. Men feel the effects of stress, but according to this studythey are better at compartmentalizing and can put certain stressors out of their minds for a certain period of time.
Women, on the other hand, are said to be superior at multitasking (see this article). research), but this ability may come back to haunt them. While men can separate things in their minds, women feel and experience more general symptoms of stress because they tend to mix different aspects of life together in their minds.
While this works better for multitasking during motherhood or even working motherhood, it could explain why women suffer from this psychiatric illness disproportionately more than men.
Why do women feel more stress?
Each individual will feel and process life’s stressors differently, but this is generally true women are more sensitive to the physical, emotional and mental effects of stress, partly due to higher hormone levels.
Sometimes we have the ability to cope well with stress for long periods of time (months or even years) before signs of breakdown occur. But eventually stress will show its ugly face, often in the form of various symptoms. These may include:
- Palpitations
- Body pain
- Digestive disorders
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Weight gain or loss
- Fatigue
- Restless legs
- Hormone imbalances
Sometimes even more serious episodes can occur research showing a link between extremely stressful events (such as an earthquake) and stress-induced cardiovascular events. What it comes down to? We are not immune to stress, no matter how well we think we handle it.
Six natural and proactive ways to find relief from stress
While stress can always find a way to be somewhat present in our lives thanks to chaotic schedules, demanding jobs, parenthood, and more, there are natural ways we can support our bodies in coping and even thriving.
1. Herbal support
Several herbs provide powerful support to help the body cope with mood and stress. Some of these research-proven herbs include Passionflower, hopAnd Holy Basil. These herbs and others known to provide calmness, relaxation, and emotional stability feature prominently in herbal blends aimed at supporting stress.
In case of incidental stress, keep the following in mind:
2. L-Theanine
L-theanine, an amino acid, has been scientifically proven to help calm a racing mind. It is also not a sedative, so it will not cause drowsiness or reduce alertness, and can even be taken at any time of the day. Although it should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is not addictive and will not lead to withdrawal symptoms if you decide to stop taking it.
4. Yoga
It may be an expected answer, but a significant amount of research has shown that yoga is helpful in tackling stress and negative thoughts. If practiced regularly, it can even be as effective as medications. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert or even flexible to give it a try. With many free videos on YouTube or even apps dedicated to yoga programs, you don’t even have to leave your house to give it a try.
5. Sun and nature
Being outside, in the sun, with your feet in the grass sounds like a picture of bliss. It’s also a great way to help your body physically deal with stress. Even if you don’t like the sun or long walks on the beach, you can harness the power of nature to help degrade your body’s nervous system. Even just a few minutes of exposure to bright sunlight or dipping your bare toes in the grass can help have a centering and balancing impact. It can also help reduce the fight-or-flight response that is activated during periods of stress.
Vitamin D is also an essential part of combating the stress response, and you can get it naturally from sun exposure. If you cannot spend time in the sun without sunscreen, consult your doctor or pharmacist for dosage recommendations for a vitamin D supplement. However, before you start, you should get your levels tested. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that is stored in your fat cells, so taking too much of it can make you toxic.
6. Acupuncture
A lesser known antidote for stress is acupuncture. For anyone who is afraid of needles, they are so small that you hardly notice they are there and most people find the session so relaxing that they fall asleep. Research shows that acupuncture is an effective way to reduce one’s experience of stress and can lead to an improved and more positive outlook.
In short
While herbs and other natural methods of support can provide some balance, never underestimate the need to talk to a therapist or work with a medical professional to address more serious needs. Just as you wouldn’t let high blood pressure or a gaping wound go untreated, taking care of mental health is an important aspect of physical well-being.
We all experience stressful situations, but we don’t have to simply tolerate them. Harness the power of these natural methods to improve your outlook and find more joy in the chaos of a busy schedule.
Writer Aimee McNew has a master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and is also a Certified Practitioner of Nutrition Therapy (CNTP).
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
Read more