B O O S T | S U P P L E M E N TA L H E A LT H C A R E
Stress-Busting Supplements Kick stress to the curb with these natural remedies. B Y K A R E N M O R S E , M . P . H .
S
tressors such as money and work keep more than 60 percent of Americans up at night, according to the 2017 Stress in America survey conducted by the American Psychological Association. The survey also revealed a new source of significant stress: 63 percent of respondents worried about the future of the nation. Survey participants also reported anxiety, anger and fatigue as common stress symptoms. Experts at the National Institute of Mental Health caution that long-term stress can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression. Lifestyle changes, such as incorporating practices such as yoga and meditation or bouts of exercise to get the endorphins flowing, can help you de-stress and boost your well-being, as can optimizing your nutrition and including supplements. Here’s the scoop on several supplements known for their stress-busting abilities.
STRESS IS NOT ALWAYS HARMFUL. STUDIES SHOW THAT INCREASED STRESS RESULTS IN INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY.
30
SPRING 2018 | LIVE NATURALLY
SHUTTERSTOCK (2)
L-THEANINE
Research has shown that L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea leaves, increases alpha wave activity in the brain, relaxing your body and mind without creating drowsiness. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that L-theanine reduced symptoms of anxiety and lowered blood pressure in adults with high stress levels. This natural stress reducer reportedly begins to work in as little as 30 minutes. Experts recommend between 50–200 milligrams daily; effective doses vary from person to person.
