Between our jobs, our family and the daily news, we all tend to experience some amounts of stress during our day. Here are some natural ways to relieve stress, sleep better and feel more refreshed.

1. Swipe the coffee for some organic Green Tea. Coffee is full of caffeine which raises your heart rate and is a diuretic. It also can be over stimulating. If you still need a caffeine fix in the morning, try drinking Green Tea – it’s full of anti oxidants, rich in flavor, and contains half the caffeine that Coffee does.

2. Get rid of the anger. Whether through Yoga, exercises, gardening or whatever activity you choose, find a physical activity to relieve tension and anger. Exercise, in any form, is one of the greatest natural drugs known to humankind. No over the counter relaxant can beat a good dose of endorphins.

3. Practice proper eating. Besides an obvious organic diet, make sure you’re getting the right amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat for your level of activity. If you’re sedentary, cut back on empty calories. If you work out or do a lot of physical activity, make sure that you are getting the right amount of protein to feed your growing muscles.

4. Drink a cup of chamomile. Before bed, try to have a cup of chamomile tea. The best option is brewing it yourself with actual tea leaves, as opposed to tea bags. Chamomile is a natural relaxant – it helps settle your stomach as well, and will lead you to a great nights sleep.

Stress has become a natural part of our lives, unfortunately. With a little bit of planning and a little bit of effort, you should be able to relieve at least parts of your stress via simple, healthy and effective methods.

This post was written by Maya Richard, who is currently writing about cell Phones . She can be emailed by combining her name gmail.com.

For centuries our ancestors have used a plant known as Hypericum perforatum, commonly referred to as St. John’s Wort, as an herbal remedy for many ailments, including mental disorders, diarrhea, nausea, ulcers and sleep disorders. But St. John’s Wort is most commonly known as a natural, herbal remedy for those suffering symptoms of depression and anxiety.

According to new research published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, St. John’s Wort is effective at treating major symptoms of depression. This new research backs up previous research conducted in 2005, that came to the same conclusions.

In one of the most comprehensive clinical studies of St. John’s Wort to date, researchers studied 5,489 patients suffering symptoms of major depression. Administering both placebos and St. John’s Wort extract to patients, researchers came to the conclusion that St. John’s Wort was more effective than the placebo at treating mild to major cases of depression.

List of Clinical Studies for St. John’s Wort

This isn’t the first clinical study investigating the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort for symptoms of depression. In fact, here is a short list of studies done within the last fifteen years.

1996. St John’s Wort For Depression — An Overview & Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials
1998. St. John’s Wort in Mild to Moderate Depression: The Relevance of Hyperforin for the Clinical Efficacy
1999. St. John’s Wort For Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Well-Defined Clinical Trials
1999. Comparison of Equivalence Between the St. John’s Wort Extract LoHyp-57 and Fluoxetine
1999. Hypericum Extract versus Imipramine or Placebo in Patients with Moderate Depression: Randomised Multicentre Study of Treatment for Eight Weeks
2000. Equivalence of St John’s Wort Extract (Ze 117) and Fluoxetine: A Randomized, Controlled Study in Mild-Moderate Depression
2002. Efficacy of St. John’s Wort Extract WS 5570 in Major Depression: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
2005. Acute Treatment of Moderate to Severe Depression with Hypericum Extract WS 5570 (St John’s wort): Randomised Controlled Double Blind Non-Inferiority Trial versus Paroxetine.
2006. The Efficacy of St. John’s Wort in Patients with Minor Depressive Symptoms or Dysthymia — A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

It must be noted that while there is overwhelming evidence supporting the use of Hypericum perforatum, there has been a few studies with different conclusions. In fact, one major study conducted by the National Institues of Health found that St. John’s Wort made no positive impact on patients suffering from major depression.

Possible Side Effects of St. John’s Wort

It is not uncommon for people to suffer small side effects from St. John’s Wort. Some of these side effects include headaches, nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and/or sensitivity to sunlight.

It is also possible for St. John’s Wort to interact with certain medications, such as birth control or antidepressants, you may already be taking, so it is wise to check with your doctor prior to taking any supplement containing Hypericum perforatum.

Things to Remember with St. John’s Wort

The overall effectiveness of St. John’s Wort depends on many variables. Where does the plant come from? Was it grown in organic conditions? Is it a tablet, powder or liquid? These are all going to affect the overall purity of the supplement. The manufacturing process of any herbal supplement can decrease the overall effectiveness of the benefits you may get from the herb. In fact, it is always best to avoid any supplement in tablet form, due to the brutal manufacturing process and because tablets are harder for the body to absorb.

Hypericum perforatum should NOT be used as a replacement to therapy. Everybody is different, please consult with your family, doctor and/or therapist, prior to taking St. John’s Wort. While it does show promise for treating symptoms of depression, it can also conteract with current medications you may be taking. So, please use caution and common sense.

Bottom line on St. John’s Wort
It is very important to do the proper research on St. John’s Wort, or any supplement you take. Most importantly, know who and where you’re buying the supplement from. Look into the Better Business Bureau records for that specific company. Try to find review’s for that product online, to see what other consumers are saying. You don’t want to ingest something that is of poor quality.

Kava Kava is a member of the pepper family which grows as a bush in the South Pacific. Captain James Cook first discovered kava, and gave the plant the botanical name which means intoxicating pepper. Kava has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal effects as a sedative, muscle relaxant, diuretic, and a remedy for nervousness and insomnia. Kava has also found to be a very effective pain reliever comparable to aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Recent clinical studies have shown that kava is a safe, non addictive anti-anxiety herbal, which is as effective as prescription medications containing benzodiazepines such as valium. However, unlike the prescription meds which may cause confused thinking processes and lethargy, kava actually has been demonstrated to improve concentration, memory and reaction time for people who are suffering from the symptoms caused by anxiety. Kava can be beneficial in achieving a relaxed state of mind without the adverse side effects.

Kava is mildly narcotic and produces mild euphoric changes which elevate the mood, and can also increase the sense of sound. Care should be taken to regulate dosage levels however, as very high dosages can lead to muscle weakness, visual impairment, dizziness, and drying of the skin. Long term usage can contribute to hypertension, reduced protein levels, blood cell abnormalities, or liver damage. Mixing kava with alcoholic beverage intake can increase the action of kava, and should be avoided.

With the exception of the opium poppy, kava is known to herbalists to be the most relaxing drug. Pharmacological studies have shown that kava’s active ingredients, kava lactones, produce a physical and mental feeling of relaxation and well being. It has been used in the treatment of vaginitis, gonorrhea and menstrual cramps. It is also useful for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, bronchial congestion, and cystitis. Kava can also be applied topically as a liniment for pain relief. Because of the relaxed state and sharpening of the senses this herb creates, it is also a powerful aphrodisiac.

One of the main benefits of Kava Kava is that, unlike St. John’s Wort, which requires a cumulative effect in order to be beneficial, kava works within a few minutes to help alleviate anxiety. Kava Kava can be found in many traditional and herbal pharmacies in tablet or capsule form.

NOTE: Do not use if pregnant, nursing, or being treated for depression. (Kava is a temporary mood enhancer and should not be used to treat clinical or severe depression.)

Deep breathing is a critical piece of maintaining good health. Most people overlook it even though the majority of the population breathes rapidly and shallowly, probably indicative of the hurried pace of the world we live it.

Breathing exercises along with muscle relaxation do a number of good things for your life. This is a great exercise as you can see to improve your daily life. It is something you can practice any time you feel the need.

• It lessens your physical response to stress — use it whenever you feel stress setting in.
  • Relieving stress also helps to relax your bowels
• Helps to keep your mind clear — use it whenever you feel unfocused
• In increases the levels of oxygen to your organs — for this reason especially it should be implemented regularly.
  • Because oxygen is key to cleansing, it should be used whenever you perform the 6-Day Advanced Oxygen Cleanse (try for twice daily during the cleanse).
  • It helps when you use it as you sit on the toilet for your bowels to move.

How Do I Do This?

It’s a simple practice that you can use regularly or every once in a while.

• Inhale deeply, slowly, (over a span of about 4 seconds), through your nose
• Hold it for a count of 16 seconds
• Exhale through your mouth, (over a span of about 8 seconds)

Repeat this process nine times.

It’s important that this be a conscious activity for maximum effect. Remember to consciously control your body’s responses. For example, if you’re trying to relax your muscles, then you need to focus on the individual muscles telling them to relax. Often tension is an automatic response that turns into a state of being. So, you have to remind your muscles how to behave.

We have a super computer in our bodies given to us by the nature, which is our brain. HRM (Hira Ratan Manek) calls it the “brainutor”. The brain is more powerful than the most advanced super computer. Each and every human being is gifted with innumerable talents, and infinite inherent powers by nature. Individuals should never underestimate themselves. Everyone is gifted. If we make use of these powers we can take ourselves to great levels. Unfortunately, these infinite inherent powers are programmed in that part of the brain that is largely dormant and goes unused. Even medical science agrees we hardly make use of the brain but about 5-7% – the most brilliant of humans like Albert Einstein is reported to have used only about 32% of their brains.

If we can activate the human brain and awaken these infinite powers inherent in ourselves then we can raise ourselves to higher levels. We can achieve any results we want. In order to operate the brain effectively, it needs to be activated. Being a holistic entity it needs a holistic power supply. Sun energy is the source that powers the brain, which can enter and leave the human body or the brain only through one organ that is the human eye. Eyes are the Sun Energy’s entry door to the human brain. They are also known as the windows of the soul. Recent research has found out that the eye has many functions other than vision. And more information is continuing to be revealed about the functions of the eye. The eyes are complex organs and they have 5 billion parts much more than a spacecraft that has about 6-7 million parts. By this, you can see the immense capacity of the human eye.
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Most people experience feelings of anxiety before an important event such as a big exam, business presentation, or first date. Anxiety disorders, however, are illnesses that fill people’s lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear that are chronic, unremitting, and can grow progressively worse. Tormented by panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, flashbacks of traumatic events, nightmares, or countless frightening physical symptoms, some people with anxiety disorders even become housebound.

Often times when people are stressed out by everyday life and circumstances they turn to prescription drugs for relief. While some of these drugs may help ease stress, they are only a temporary solution to the problem.

So is there a natural way to treat anxiety? The good news is..YES! Holistic medicine has become popular within the last 5 years and more people are looking for a safer alternative in treating anxiety. Here are some ideas to consider if you or someone you know need a help with anxiety.

1 - Take 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil daily to improve hormone balance and natural mental wellness.

2 - Make a herbal sachet or small pillow stuffed with cotton and herbs for relaxation at night. Use lemon balm leaves, chamomile, catnip and valerian and keep it next to your pillow at night.

3 - Consider using St. John’s Wort, another herbal remedy for depression and anxiety. Dubbed “herbal Prozac” by some, St. John’s wort can be grown at home, or purchased in herb or supplement form. Again, take under the recommendations of a professional.

4 - Try Native Remedies’ Pure Calm supplement (see link under resources, below) as a natural treatment for anxiety. This alternative medicine combines herbs in a liquid form for fast assimilation.

5 - Try Kava in capsule or drink form. One of the primary herbs used to treat anxiety, Kava is a root known for its calming effect on the nervous system. It is a mild sedative and used to help treat tension, too. It can not be used in conjunction with prescription medicines, however. Kava should only be taken a few times a week. Contact an herbalist or homeopathic doctor for proper dosages.

Note*

Anxiety disorders often occur with other illnesses.

It is common for an anxiety disorder to accompany depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or another anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can also co-exist with illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid conditions, and migraine headaches. In such instances, the accompanying disorders will also need to be treated. So, it is important, before beginning any treatment, to have a thorough medical examination to determine the causes of symptoms.