In today’s world it is very rare not to be stressed. Stress can result from our careers, household chores, caring for our children, relatives, or any other obligations in our everyday lives.
Therefore, it is important that people learn how to manage and minimize stress as much as possible for their health. Nevertheless, there are numerous ways how to cope with stress, and natural remedies like magnesium and lavender rank quite high on the list.
Below we’ll explore how these natural remedies can help you manage stress and enhance your sense of calm. From the science behind their benefits to practical ways to incorporate them into your daily routine, you’ll discover how magnesium and lavender can become your go-to solutions for stress relief.
The Science of Stress
Before going through the potential advantages of using magnesium and lavender, there are things worth recognizing about the phenomenon called stress. Stress is a psychosomatic reaction to any type of demand or threat, it causes the release of hormone cortisol, adrenaline etc.
Stress can be useful in short term, when it prepares us to any danger or pressure that comes our way, but in the long run, the effect of stress is destructive to our overall health.
Chronic stress can cause disorders such as anxiety, depression, sleeping disorders, stomach aches, muscle stiffness, difficulty concentrating and many others. To avoid such effects, it is crucial to learn how to manage stress correctly.
How Does Magnesium Work its Magic?
Magnesium is a micronutrient that is crucial for a good number of functions in the human body such as muscle and nerve conductivity, blood glucose control, and bone formation. It is also widespread as it helps people to relax and decrease level of stress. Ironically, a large number of people fail to consume adequate amounts of magnesium in their diets and that leads to heightened stress and anxiety. Check out this link to find out more relevant info https://www.eatingwell.com/magnesium-benefits-8656021.
Magnesium assists in modulating the stress pathways involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which deals with the cortisol stress hormone. This leads to healthy regulation of the HPA axis, which ensures that cortisol levels do not rise due to stress.
Also, magnesium has a role in the relaxation process with neurotransmitters, and in particular, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA stands for Gamma-Aminobutyric acid which is a neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety in the nervous system. Specifically, magnesium aims at increasing the effectiveness of GABA so it will be easier for your body to calm down.
It is, therefore, quite significant to understand that the lack of magnesium in the body may lead to increased feelings of anxiety and stress. Possible symptoms of magnesium deficiency are muscle twitching and stiffness, fatigue, irritability, and insomnia. If you believe that you might be deficient in the substance, then you may want to find ways to boost the consumption.
How to Increase Your Magnesium Intake?
There are numerous tips on how you can incorporate magnesium in the body either through diet or supplementations. Sources of magnesium include green vegetables, particularly spinach, kale, nuts and seeds, whole grain foods such as whole wheat bread and cereals, and pulses such as beans and lentils. Including these foods in your diet will assist to naturally raise magnesium level in the body. Find out more interesting info here.
In case you want something more specific, magnesium supplements are also not hard to find in the market. There are several types of magnesium, which include magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, and magnesium oxide.
Each type has its own pore absorption and its benefits; therefore, one should choose the suitable one depending on the requirement. To reduce stress, magnesium glycinate is considered the best because it is easily absorbed in the body and has minimal impact on the gastrointestinal tract.
Another way to up the concentration of magnesium is through the use of Epsom salt baths. Epsom salt is a type of magnesium sulfate and it is used for this purpose since this compound can be ingested through the skin. If you are feeling stressed you can relax and soak in a warm bath with epsom salts because the magnesium in the salts will enter your bloodstream and help too.
How Does Lavender Work Its Magic?
Lavender is an aromatic plant that has been known to relieve stress naturally, without you having to use additional pills or prescriptions from doctors. Lavender essential oil is a well-known to most people and often used in aromatherapy; however, the uses of lavender are many and varied and they cover anxiety-reducing properties as well.
Lavender is said to have an impact on the nervous system hence its soothing effects. Lavender has several chemicals such as Linalool and Linalyl Acetate which are known to make you sleepy and possess anxiolytic properties respectively. These compounds, when inhaled, work on neurotransmitters located in the brain to help ease anxiety and instill a sense of calmness.
Another factor that supports the use of lavender as relaxant is its effect on cortisol in that, it brings down the level of cortisol in the body. Since lavender helps to lower cortisol levels, it helps to bring down the physical responses to stress like high pulse rate, and high blood pressure.
Ways to Use Lavender for Stress Relief
Lavender is easy to integrate into everyday life, which means you can get all the stress-reducing properties of this amazing flower. Among them, the most popular is aromatherapy when lavender essential oil is dispersed in the air. Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils because just the smell of it is enough to make you calm down.
You should also know that lavender essential oil can be administered effectively through a massage. It can be mixed with couple of drops of a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil to make a good massaging oil which is then applied on the skin. Applying lavender oil to some areas of the body that correspond to fast heartbeat, for example wrists, temples and neck, can help you reduce stress during the day. Check out this page for more details https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/local-lavender-farm-shares-the-benefits-and-beauty-of-the-plant-1.6957230.
If you love taking a warm bath, just a few drops of lavender oil in the water makes all the difference in the world. Used along with Epsom salts, these baths with lavender can be very effective in helping a person relax after a tiring day at work.
What Are Other Things You Can Try?
Along with adding magnesium and lavender into your daily regimen there are few other things you can try to minimize stress and improve the quality of your life. That is why it is necessary to engage in activities like yoga or walks to reduce cortisol and enhance the relaxation process. Exercise frees endorphins which are chemicals that improve mood and relieve muscle tension which is triggered by stress.
Relaxation techniques like prayer and meditation and relaxation techniques like deep breathing also have a part to play in stress management. All these practices are helpful in reducing stress and anxiety and assist in making an individual become more sensitive to the present moment. Mindfulness on its own can prove to be quite helpful in the fight against stress, and when accompanied by the additional benefits of magnesium and lavender, the results are even more effective.
Eating a diet that is rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins can help the body to manage stress. Healthy foods which are full of vitamins and minerals help to maintain the proper function of the nervous system and make you stronger when dealing with stress.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the importance of sleep. Quality sleep is essential for both physical and mental recovery, and establishing a relaxing bedtime routine can help you wind down and prepare for a restful night. Using magnesium and lavender as part of your bedtime ritual can set the stage for a good night’s sleep, which in turn helps reduce overall stress levels.
Embrace Natural Solutions for a Calmer Life
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but how we manage it can make all the difference. Natural solutions like magnesium and lavender offer effective, gentle ways to reduce stress and promote relaxation without the need for prescription medications or complex interventions.
By understanding the science behind these natural remedies and incorporating them into your daily routine, you can create a more balanced, peaceful life.
Whether through a relaxing bath, a soothing massage, or simply a moment of mindfulness with the calming scent of lavender, these natural solutions can help you find calm in the midst of life’s challenges.
Remember, managing stress is not about eliminating it entirely, but about finding ways to navigate it with grace and resilience. With the help of magnesium and lavender, you can take meaningful steps toward reducing stress and enhancing your overall well-being. So why not give these natural remedies a try and see how they can help you find a little calmer in your day?