Calming Drinks For Anxiety That Even Help With Anxiety Disorders
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Anxiety disorders are now the most common mental health problem in the United States. To make matters worse, many sufferers deal with depression at the same time. While there are plenty of therapies and medications out there, sometimes you just need something a little easier and closer to home. Thats where calming drinks for anxiety come in.
The idea is simple. The drinks in this list can all help you to wind down and feel better. Some have been studied for their potential to help with anxiety. In contrast, others are useful because they keep you hydrated and wont ramp your body back up again. Because of this, most of the drinks should help you to sleep as well.
If you want some more ideas, we also have a list of foods for anxiety and one of foods that help with depression. While the foods and drinks featured on these lists wont cure a mental health problem overnight, focusing on foods and drinks like these is powerful in the long-term.
These drinks have other advantages too. Theyre all healthy and natural ways to wind down. This makes them ideal even anxiety isnt a major problem for you.
- Be Careful With Alcohol
Ginger Improves Memory And Attention
Ginger has traditionally been used to treat memory loss and dementia.
Now, research shows that it enhances a wide variety of other cognitive functions besides memory.
When healthy adults were given dried ginger supplements, they showed improvements in working memory, reaction time, and attention.
Ginger may slow the progression of Alzheimers disease.
Bioactive compounds found in ginger increase the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in learning and memory.
The best Alzheimers drugs currently available are based on a similar mechanism.
Drugs like Aricept work by blocking an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine.
Curcumin Boosts Dha Levels In The Brain
Research has suggested that the lack of complex, docosahexaenoic acid in an individuals diet is often linked to poor brain development and neuroprotection.
This can be a cause for the development of cognitive diseases and anxiety. This is seen more commonly in people who do not consume fish, which is a powerful DHA source.
However, curcumin provides a suitable alternative. Wu A et als investigative study showed that the compound could target a multitude of molecular pathways responsible for DHA production.
In particular, concentrations of its precursor -linolenic acid and pro-DHA enzymes FADS2 and elongase2 were seen to be elevated in liver and brain tissues.
What does this mean?
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Ginger Provides An Antidote To Neurotoxic Glutamate
MSG is ubiquitous in processed foods and thus can cause an excessive level of glutamate in the brain.
Glutamate is an important neurotransmitter but, in excess, becomes neurotoxic and can even cause brain cells to die.
Common reported side effects of MSG include:
- asthma
- muscle weakness
MSG is responsible for a cluster of symptoms stereotypically known as Chinese restaurant syndrome.
But ginger is often used in MSG-laden Asian food, a fortuitous combination since ginger shields the brain from the neurotoxic effects of MSG.
MSG is common in processed, salty foods including salty snacks, soy vegetable protein, canned soups, and ramen noodles.
If you are sensitive to MSG, take extra ginger when you start to feel the side effects of MSG.
Brew Maca To Balance Your Hormones
Maca root is increasingly popular lately and for good reason. This native Peruvian plant has been shown to increase sexual desire in men . It’s also shown promising results for boosting exercise performance in male cyclists.
This hormone balancer is also a strong supporter against stress. Maca’s plant compounds may promote a positive mood and reduce blood pressure and depression.
Maca Benefits
- reduced blood pressure and depression
Try It
Simply mix maca powder into your daily smoothie, cup of coffee, or hot cocoa . You can also try this Good Energy Drink featuring the root. To truly see an effect, you may need to drink about 3.3 grams every day for 8 to 14 weeks.
Possible Side Effects
Maca is generally safe for most people unless you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or have a thyroid problem.
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Suan Zao Ren For Insomnia
It is probable that the most famous treatment for vigilance in Traditional Chinese medicine is Suan Zao Ren. With the formal name of Semen Ziziphi spinosae, the dried ripe seed of the sour jujube or spiny date has been frequently used for a long time among Chinese to treat vigilance, anxiety, hyperhidrosis and dreaming too much . Recent researches demonstrate that Suan Zao Ren has various pharmacological effects, such as protecting the functions of cardiovascular systems, enhancing the function of immune system, lowering the blood lipid and counteracting anxiety . Suan Zao Ren is also an indispensable component of some traditional formulas, such as Suan Zao Ren Tang and Fufang Suan Zao Ren decoction, which are frequently used to cure insomnia in clinical practice . Animal studies suggest that Suan Zao Ren could reduce the sleepless symptoms in rats , regulate the sleeping alteration in mice caused by stress , and prolong the time of total sleep and that of slow wave sleep in a rabbit model .
Tigers Nest Temple Bhutan
Also known as Taktsang, it is a sacred monastery built on a rocky cliff 3,000 feet above the Paro valley. Legend has it, some 1,300 years ago, Guru Rinpoche materialized on the back of a flying tigress and converted the Bhutanese to Buddhism at this place.
This is a must-visit place because of the unique location and view that will leave you mesmerized. The background story of this place makes it even more unique and worth seeing.
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Medications For High Blood Pressure Interacts With Ginger
Ginger might reduce blood pressure in a way that is similar to some medications for blood pressure and heart disease. Taking ginger along with these medications might cause your blood pressure to drop too low or an irregular heartbeat.Some medications for high blood pressure and heart disease include nifedipine , verapamil , diltiazem , isradipine , felodipine , amlodipine , and others.
Honey Lemon And Ginger
Lemon is known to contain many negatively charged ions. When these ions enter the digestive tract, they react with the positive ions present inside and energize the entire body thereby elevating the mood.
Also, a simple lemon scent is known to be a brilliant mood enhancer. Gingers smell too has unique mood enhancing abilities. Ginger is also known to increase the serotonin and dopamine levels in the human body .
- Combine 1/2 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons each of lemon juice, and ginger juice.
- Consume this 3 times in a day.
- Alternatively, you can add this mixture into a glass of lukewarm water and drink it.
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Anxiety Herbal Remedy : Ginger Tea
From the Sydney Morning Herald:
‘Ginger contains potent gingerol, which helps cleanse the harmful chemicals that our bodies produce when weâre worried, so ginger can help psychological stress,’ Dietician Alice Mackintosh told the Daily Mail.
Ginger extract showed âsignificant antidepressant activityâ in a study that was published in the “International Research Journal of Pharmacy.”
My favorite ginger tea recipe is from Extending the Table, a Mennonite cookbook by Joetta Handrich Schlabach. The recipe, from the Dominican Republic, calls for one quart water, one sliced one-inch piece of ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, and about 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Boil the first three ingredients and simmer for half an hour, then add the brown sugar. Serve hot.
One advantage of this anxiety herbal remedy is it also alleviates antidepressant-induced nausea.
These remedies are not meant to be medical advice and you shouldn’t use them without consulting with your doctor. I’m just sharing what helps me when my anxiety is through the proverbial roof. What works for you? Have these remedies helped? Leave a message in the comments section.
Curcumin and major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the potential of peripheral biomarkers to predict treatment response and antidepressant mechanisms of change. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25523883
http://www.livestrong.com/article/519503-cayenne-pepper-and-anxiety/
Ginger Tea For Anxiety
Ginger tea is a delicious way to reduce anxiety if you like the flavor of ginger and great for those colder months. Simply add a slice of ginger, or about a teaspoon of grated ginger to hot water and steep it. You can also use ground ginger, but you may want to use a little less, say about half a teaspoon. It depends on how strong you want it.
Ground and grated ginger will steep quicker than sliced ginger . You can also find ginger tea bags from many stores and they will usually have brewing instructions on the box. These will often come in different flavors. You may also find a chai tea with ginger in the blend of spices.
You can also add different flavors to your homemade tea. Try the following:
-
Lemon
-
Chili
-
Various fruits
You can sweeten your tea, but keep in mind that though sugar may give you energy in the short term and even improve your mood, it isnt sustainable. You are better off sweetening your tea with stevia, xylitol, or honey.
With honey, you will still get the sugar you may be craving, but as long as the tea isnt too hot it has additional benefits like boosting your immune system. Honey is also useful for treating anxiety.
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May Cause Gas And Bloating
Ginger tea may cause certain mild digestive side effects. It most often impacts the upper digestive system and causes upper digestive gas. Replacing ginger with supplements could be one solution to this. But make sure you talk to your doctor before using them.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, ginger may cause gas .
Some believe the same could happen with ginger ale, the carbonated drink. The drink may aggravate bloating in certain individuals.
Curcumin Has Natural Anxiolytic Activity
An anxiolytic refers to a type of medication that lowers signs of anxiety. A number of molecules and pathways are interconnected in the process of increasing fear and stress responses in our body.
One such key compound is the enzyme, Serotonin which functions as a neurotransmitter between cells.
A 2014 Histochemical study illustrated curcumin had decreased anxiety in an animal model.
This, in turn, resulted in suppression of neurotransmitter activity within the central nervous system, particularly that of serotonin.
A year after the anxiolytic effects of curcumin were determined, Haider S et al. published a study highlighting the potential applications of curcumin as a nootropic .
The research paid special attention to the antioxidant activity it displays on administration along with aiding memory performances in stressed conditions.
What does this mean?
The curcumin in turmeric possesses anxiolytic properties i.e. it can be modelled as an anti-stress agent. It monitors oxidative damage enabling it useful in anxiety therapy.
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Ginger Tea: For Caffeine
Its reported that ginger tea can elevate mood and banish negative feelings and that even a whiff of ginger can lift your spirits.
World-famous biohacker Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, claims that he has personally tried just about everything to boost his mental performance, including most nootropics, smart drugs, and even psychedelics.
He now starts the morning with a brew of ginger and turmeric added to yerba mate or to pu-erh, a prized aged tea a combination he calls rocket fuel for the brain.
He prefers this to coffee since he experiences no caffeine crashes.
You can buy ginger tea bags or make your own ginger tea concoction by adding grated ginger to any drink, hot or cold.
Drinking ginger tea or adding ginger to your favorite beverage are healthy substitutes for highly caffeinated drinks like coffee, soda, or energy drinks.
Ginger Study Finds Virtual Mental Health Services Are Crucial To Help Address Rising Anxiety Rates
Anxiety rates are soaring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The share of adults reporting anxiety or depression has increased since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with four in ten adults age 18 and older reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression in July, according to research from Kaiser Family Foundation .
Now, a new study indicates that on-demand mental healthcare that includes virtual services can be effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety, which is an extremely prevalent condition, but has received notably less attention than other mental health conditions from research, clinical, and public health perspectives.
The study published Monday in The Journal of Medical Internet Research found that behavioral health coaching can be just as effective as clinical tele-mental healthcare services for anxiety reduction, said Dr. Dana Udall, chief clinical officer at Ginger.
“Research suggests that therapy and psychiatry are effective for anxiety reduction, and behavioral health coaching by itself can be effective in reducing anxiety. Its the combination of both that was the most effective in reducing anxiety symptoms even more than one of those modalities by itself,” Udall said in an exclusive interview with Fierce Healthcare about the study.
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Herbal Remedies People With Anxiety Need To Know About
Do you know there are herbal remedies for anxiety? I have an extremely annoying neighbor. He was up all night laughing last night, which means I didn’t get any sleep. This has been going on for weeks. Talking to him hasn’t done any good. My anger and annoyance, fueled by sleep deprivation, are rapidly approaching homicidal ideation. Fortunately, there are three herbal remedies I know that help ease the raging anxiety.
Ginger Reduces The Pain Of Migraine Headaches
Ginger effectively reduces the pain of migraine headaches.
Its therapeutic effects compare favorably to the commonly prescribed migraine drug sumatriptan which works by narrowing blood vessels to the brain.
But sumatriptan is not appropriate for everyone, has numerous side effects, and should not be mixed with antidepressant medications like SSRIs.
Together, SSRIs and sumatriptan can lead to dangerous serotonin syndrome.
Ginger, on the other hand, can relieve headache pain without these side effects.
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How Ginger Work For Anxiety
Ginger is a herb or spice rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidants. To be precise, ginger has 14 special compounds. One of the most important compounds found in ginger is gingerol since its responsible for most of its healing properties. Gingerol gives ginger its peculiar antioxidant properties, which can lower oxidative stress markers. This effect is somewhat accountable for the anti-inflammatory capability manifested in ginger consumption.
Gingerol alongside other compounds also builds up the bloodstream and digestive tract to help with nausea. Ginger is also believed to help in digestive processes since it enhances saliva production.