So what can we do?
There are of course many lifestyle strategies that will help. Asking for help, time management, yoga, diaphragmatic breathing, lowering your expectations (ahh, the relief!), and many more. Also be sure to cut out stimulants such as coffee, tea, energy drinks and too much sugar. These strategies are all necessary, and will help immensely. But even so, years of stress takes its toll on the body, mood and emotions. Here are some natural medicines help restore the balance.
Nourish your adrenals
Those poor glands will lap up any nutrients you send their way. They don’t make the stress hormones out of thin air; they need fuel! B vitamins are the first thing to try. There are 12 of them. Ensure you get roughly 25-50 mg of most of the B vitamins (get a B complex formula) and only take them in the morning with food.
I love the Ayurvedic herb Withania somnifera. Used for thousands of years to combat stress, it has been shown to benefit those with anxiety and depression, and also has a normalising effect on the thyroid gland. It can be a real life-saver for those women (and men) who feel on the edge of a breakdown at the thought of another frantically busy day.
Calm your mind and emotions
Most women are so exhausted that they are tempted to close their eyes in the car at the red lights, but often frustratingly, they can’t fall asleep at night or they wake after only a couple of hours. Their busy brain is running through what didn’t get done that day and adding it to the mile-long list for tomorrow. This is the effect of those elevated stress hormones – keeping you alert, in case of danger. There are some nutrients and herbs that can be enormously helpful. Start with the basics: magnesium morning and night and 50mg of the herbal extract 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-Htp) before bed.
Hypericum perforatum, or St Johns Wort, is another herb with a long history of use as a nervous system tonic. My clients describe its effect as helping them feel a little sunnier about life and giving them the feeling that a burden has been lifted.
The herbal medicine Piper methysticum is also an amazing natural solution to anxiety, anger, irritability and insomnia. This and Hypericum are best used in consultation with an experienced herbalist.
Being a parent is an indescribable privilege. It’s guaranteed to be maddening and frustrating at times, but if you are having more bad days than good, if you are struggling with any of the scenarios or symptoms mentioned above, reach out for some help. Make some changes and support your body. It will make for a happier you and a happier home.
Originally published HERE.
Annaliese Jones – Naturopathy, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine. Annaliese has a Bachelor of Health Science and Advanced double Diplomas in Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine, plus 15 years clinical experience. Annaliese brings both science based medicine and traditional healing wisdom together. The best of both worlds!
