★★★★★
Wim Hof Breathing Technique will immediately reduce stress and anxiety and is free, found online and only takes minutes With zero negative side effects.
EC: The Wim Hof breathing technique is as follows:
Sitting in a comfortable place, take 30-40 quick, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Then, take a deep breath and exhale; hold until you need to breathe in. Inhale again, as deep as you can, and hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat as many times as you like.
More details here: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises
Poppy Seeds
★★★★★
Those suffering from stress usually have elevated level of various stress hormones, the most well known being cortisol.
Poppy seeds have been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Blend them in smoothies, bake with them or boil them and drink as tea. Be careful though, they make the body so relaxed sleep comes very easily. So they are good for insomniacs too.
Other plants that work against stress are adaptogens - rhodiola, moringa, pine pollen, ashwaganda, cacao, maca, holy basil, etc. Read up on adaptogens.
Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha
★★★★★
I also take ashwagandha for stress. It helps very much but you need to be careful with it so read up on all the side effects. I bought a different brand with more potency and it lowered my blood pressure like crazy. I stopped feeling the effects after a while so I take a 2 week break from the supplement. During that time I use tryptophan.
Effexor is poison. My daughter had a terrible time coming off of it. It took her about 9 months.
We titrated similarly--very small reductions in mg's for 10-14 days at a time, then another very small reduction in mg's, etc. Towards the end, when her mg's were very low and difficult to split, we did water titration--you put the mg's that remain in a bit of water, let it dissolve, then drink half of the water and save the other half for your next dose.
Her doctor told her to come down 25 mg's at a time, then stop entirely after a couple of weeks. Ridiculous! When she followed 'doctor's orders', she felt like she was going to die. She had dreadful side-effects that landed her in the ER.
I did some research and had her titrate super-slowly, and while it took a long time, she was finally able to be FREE of it.
What a nightmare, though!
Rhodiola
I agree with not using Effexor. My wife finally got off it by very slowly reducing the daily amount. The following was the only way she could, without bad side effects. We actually took apart the capsule and counted the little balls. The first week we took out 5 percent and the following week another 5. After many months she was able to drop it all together. Hope this helps someone.
Rhodiola
★★★★★
I have been suffering with anxiety since 2008. With Panic attacks, brain fogs, mind blanks, dizziness, tight chest, occasional palpitations, a couple of fainting sessions at the gym as well as after not eating all day- paramedic call outs and several trips to A&E and my Doctors.
The trouble is emotional stress through working in sales and in call centre/cold calling positions, coupled with moving house 8 times since then, money worries due to time off work and a small amount of debt. Not to mention relationship up heaval and my parents domestics.
I've had several tests including but not limited to blood tests to check my thyroids, hormonal levels, my heart function on a stress test, a bubble test and a Echocardiogram. - The only thing thats been found is that I have Gilberts Syndrome and a small hole in my heart (pfo). Neither of which are life threatening.
I still get some symtoms but I have found some assurance having the echocardiogram recently. It also helps if I eat cruciferous vegetables and a balance diet with omega 3 via hemp oil intake and fish. However stress often creaps up if I have too much going on in and outside work. So Ive had mind blanks, headaches, almost double vision, dizziness, General anxiety, being tense and having back pain even this month.
I tried L-Tyrptophan but it was only very mildly helping. Since then I have come accross Rhodiola. I have the Higher Nature Stress relief version. I have to say its been incredible alongside light excercise and weights. My mind is clearer, the dizziness is 10 times better and in the bedroom I dont feel as anxious. Im going to keep on with these but I seriously would recommend this to anyone with anxiety or stress related issues.
Stress Remedies
Trying to find a cure for chronic T.E. and hair loss so I need to find a better way to deal with the major, continual stress I live with.
EC: For those interested in learning more about this condition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telogen_effluvium
Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha
Additional note about ashwagandha; It did take three or four days for me to notice a much improved over all sense of well being. For more acute stress situations I add chamomile tea, but for long term overall stress reduction Ashwagandha has made an incredible difference. I wish I had known about this decades ago.
Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha
★★★★★
I have found that one 450 mg capsule of Ashwagandha at bedtime helps to lower my overall stress level A LOT. My friend prefers to take one or two capsules in the morning. It is an "adaptogen" herb that helps to even out cortisol levels, and it really works for us.
Hi Everyone, I am posting this because it's relevant to the holidays. It is an audio interview of David Wolfe speaking on foods and ways to help reduce stress. He's also speaking on reducing cortisol in our bodies. It is full of valuable information and what is causing stress.
http://theawareshow.com/s8/offer/wolfe#Replay
I hope you take the opportunity to hear what he has to say. I am always amazed at how I learn something new every time I hear him! Best to everyone, Lisa
Supplements
Dear Earth Clinic Community,
I heard about Sensoril yesterday and do know much about it. It is supposed to be good for everyday stress and fatigue. I want to try it, but I want to know if anyone had any luck while trying this. I suggest if they open a new for this herb. Thanks and God bless you all.
B Vitamins
I ditto this post about the B-50 vitamin complex keeping the hair from turning gray. I am almost 63, and have been taking a stress formula B-complex regularly (1 or 2 caps a day at breakfast and/or lunch) since 1975. Have endured LOTS of stress! I have a little bit of silver around my temples, but the overall affect is healthy chestnut brown. Too bad it didn't prevent wrinkles!!!
EarthClinic has been my favorite website since my strep throuat was cured overnight with ACV and a pinch of cayenne in warm water (gargled) in 2008. A unique and valuable service!
Information
informative interview with Dr. Maté on the stress disease connection and other fascinating info...
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/30/dr_gabor_mat_on_the_stress
B Vitamins
★★★★★
This is for Connie from Salt Lake-Utah. Thanks so very much for all your help and info. It is about a month now , I started with liquid B complex made as a live culture. The progress was minimum and I was sceptical... But after a month O'''h Dear Got what a difference. Today I saw my dentist an unpleasant guy who is just conveniently close to my home. Normally I would sweat and shake like a Jello. Today for the first tome in years I was totally calm. AMAZING!!!!! It looks really like my nerves needed this protection, so I am going continue.. 20 drops at the morning and 20 at the afternoon. Thanks Connie again for your advice....
Dhea
★★★☆☆
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi Ted, I took your advice a couple of months ago regarding the dhea during a period when I was under high duress. it was amazing how it turned me around, un fortunately now i had to stop due to a horrible breakout in acne, i cut my dosage down to 25mg a couple of times a week, but ended up having to stop still. Would keto dhea have the same effect (as far as acne) or would it be the solution?
I have been a user of the ACV and VCO for a long time, so ive tried everything to pinpoint the acne probblem, including starting and stopping dhea. thank you, have a blessed day!!
Meditation
★★★★★
Stress Remedies - Meditation
The best way for me to reduce my daily mental and emotional stress is to meditate. It is not as easy as taking a pill but it is more effective in the long run. There are many different styles of meditation but the basic theme is that you sit down and calm your mind, slowing down or stopping the stressful thoughts that you don't even realize are zipping through your mind.
Here is a good article to give you a brief overview.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/HQ01070
I would recommend that you also go to youtube.com and do a search for "meditation" and watch some different videos to get a sense of what it is all about. You might also want to go to the library and get some books on meditation or find a local meditation group where you can practice and learn from others. Don't expect overnight results, as a matter of fact it will probably take you about 10 sessions before you start to get some results, but hang in there because it is worth it.
Laughter Is...
Thank you Dierdre - It made my day - pure Delight!
EC: Glad you guys enjoyed it!!
Laughter Is...
So, I called everyone over as I began this and could see it was the metro of France- at least it appeared to be. Paris is one of our all time favorite places and we all gave a collective sigh to see it. Well, we watched and then the laughing became infectious here as well as in that metro car! What fun and a good laugh! Laughing definitely lifts the spirits...
Laughter Is...
Thank you for sharing this - absolutely brilliant! It says so much, yet without a word. Nice to have a good laugh, too (you really can't help yourself!). Loved it!
Laughter Is...
You should have heard our household last night when we watched this fantastic short movie called Bodhisattva in metro. Snicker, snicker, ha ha ho ho hee HEEEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdQnuqFlD7U
Enjoy!
Thanks very much for the advice. I find it very helpful.
Take care,
Sheila.
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
i recently survived a stretch of great stress combined with physical exhaustion. i read up on many of the remedies on the adrenal fatigue and on the stress page in order to take the best care of myself during these months. i have had adrenal fatigue hit me a few times in the past, though this time i think what i had is classified as 'stress exhaustion'. either way, after all the chaos, i knew well enough that there would be an aftermath of exhaustion and fatigue. i think that each person's system is different or has different causes/susceptiblities. And I believe there are 2 phases, one is the hectic stress or adrenaline-robbing phase, and the next is the adrenal crash, or exhaustion phase that one is left in. in my experience some of the things that helped me feel pretty good even on my worst days were:
1) Getting as much extra sleep as possible, even if it meant going to bed hours early when i could. This REALLY helped in the long-term.
2) Taking a multivitamin and B-complex vitamin
3) (I also read that extra C, Zinc, and the other 'essentials' is great for a.f. recovery. I did this as well)
4) Taking a teaspoon of baking soda with Apple Cider Vinegar in the a.m. and afternoon to keep my energy and sharpness going. ACV is also a great immediate stress-soother.
5) NOT drinking coffee
6) Eating an extrodinarily healthful diet; Keeping myself full (avoiding any low blood sugar spells)
7) Drinking Matcha green tea which is amazing for soothing stress and not over-caffinating (though completely limiting caffeine is ideal)
8) As much soothing relaxing activities as necessary, "Self Care".
9) Taking Bee Pollen (I read this is excellent for a.f. recovery)
10) avoiding unnecessary stressful conversations whenever possible, limiting conversation with 'draining' people, or avoiding anything else that might rile or tense me up.
10) I also took advice from the stress page about 'stress foods', particularly adding pistachios and barley to my diet.
11) I also tried to educate those close to me about how one under stress/adrenal fatigue might react or be very in need of elevated support and gentle treatment during this time, and that helped immensely.
I hope this information will help someone else as well, and I'll keep reading these pages for more insights.
★★★★★
I am 50, and have noticed over the years that whenever I take a course of GINSENG that Life is Fine. BC (before children) I didn't take it all the time, and always just for endurance and stress.... a month or 2 on then a month or 2 off. I seemed to know when it was time to start another course of it, because that's when I'd remember to buy it. I had my first child at 33, and started having extremely uncontrollable angry episodes each month, I could put my fist through the wall I would get so angry.....Ranting and raving over the stupidest things...it was like I was possessed, I could feel myself doing it but couldn't stop. But I noticed that if I was on Ginseng, I wouldn't get angry... Life was better. So I started to make sure that I took it religiously, 3 months on, 1 month off. The episodes stopped completely.
I have stopped menstruating now, and have had no (touch wood), menopause side effects. Except for the occasional hot flush when I have a glass of wine (that's a pain). Amazingly though, I would go without a period for 3 or 4 months, then when I stopped the Ginseng, I would get one....that night. It's now been 6 months since I had a Ginseng tablet, and I have just started another course. It will be interesting to see if it still has the same effect when I stop. I will let you know.
Hope this is helpful to someone. The added benefit of taking Ginseng is that my energy levels increase, and people say I don't look my age.