Most of us are affected by stressful situations in our daily life. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to state that stress and anxiety have become a part of the daily life. The most essential step for reducing stress in life is to try and recognize the triggers and reasons behind stress.

You can include breathing exercise to reduce a stressful situation. Relax and take deep breaths to rid yourself of the tension.

The supplements that you can use to alleviate stress include Vitamin B Complex, Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and magnesium. Vitamin B has been found to have a calming effect on the nervous system and is also helpful in increasing the benefits from certain anti-depressants. Taking a multivitamin daily also helps in building up the immune strength and in counteracting stress. It has been shown in studies that people who are deficient in omega- 3 fatty acids tend to have higher stress and anxiety levels. Including these reduce the stress. Calcium and magnesium are used in many body processes and have been shown to be of help in sleeping and muscle relaxing.

Certain herbs such as ginseng, brewer’s yeast, chamomile, skullcap, tyrosine and valerian have been used for a long time to reduce stress naturally. Recent studies that have been carried out in these herbs have also shown promise.  Essential oils extracted form the roots of valerian have been proven to reduce stress in many people. St. John’s wort has also been used extensively to reduce stress levels. It also helps in boosting the mood.

An amino acid 5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan is essential for the producing serotonin in the body. Low levels of serotonin have been shown to result in depression, anxiety, lack of sleep and irritability. It also helps in reducing the intensity of migraine headaches and fibromyalgia. A plus point of this acid is that as it is a pre-cursor of serotonin, which in turn is responsible for giving the feeling of fullness it is also effective in weight loss.

Melatonin as a supplement also tends to help in falling asleep and is used to treat insomnia. Melatonin has been shown to increase incidence of seizures in epileptic patients and hence should be used with caution.

It is essential to remember that all the supplements and herbs work best when they are taken in conjunction with a balanced diet. It is also advised to refer your doctor before starting any supplement.