Stress Relief

A natural response to challenging situations and difficult times, stress manifests itself in a number of different ways.

Some people experience stress physically, suffering with headaches, a racing heart, tense muscles, stomach pains and even diarrhoea or nausea. 

Most people find that stress causes them to become withdrawn or irritable and that it can disturb their sleep.

Sometimes the causes of negative stress and anxiety are clear – a challenging work environment, the death of a loved one, a divorce or even a house move. 

However, there can be times when we experience the physical effects of stress without recognising the cause of them. 

This can often happen when lots of small problems build up over time or when we push our anxieties aside, in an attempt to ‘just get on with it’.

It is important to recognise and deal with stress before it begins to impact our physical and mental wellbeing.

There are lots of easy, inexpensive ways to relieve stress and the best stress relief of all is probably exercise. 

Whether it is taking a bike ride, hitting the gym, swimming or joining a yoga class, exercise helps to release the endorphins that give you a sense of wellbeing and aid stress release. Focusing on exercise can also take your mind off the causes of stress and anxiety.

Good stress relievers help you to feel relaxed and centred. Some people find simply reading a book, cooking or walking in nature provide adequate stress and anxiety relief. 

For some, talking to a trusted friend can help. Others need additional support, which is where taking a calming supplement can come in.

There are numerous stress relief and calming supplements on the market so it can be challenging to decide which is right for you.

Some natural aids contain a single herbal extract, such as valerian or rhodiola which are licensed to relieve symptoms of anxiety and stress, while some, such as Rescue Remedy, combine a few extracts selected for their complementary effects.

Choose a stress relief supplement based on your symptoms. If you are struggling to sleep passion flower, valerian or a night specific formula like Kalms Night may help you to enjoy a peaceful rest. 

If you are experiencing fatigue and exhaustion  a traditional herbal remedy containing rhodiola can help provide temporary relief.