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We all know that stress is a killer. The problem is that you might be chronically stressed and not even know about it because you might not feel stressed out. Human beings are extremely adaptive; to ensure our survival, we learn to adapt to all sorts of situations and environments. Because we are so adaptable, unhealthy or even dangerous situations begin to feel normal after a while. Whether it’s an unfamiliar life event, a toxic work environment, an abusive relationship, a military tour of duty, or serving time in prison, we get used to things. We can’t help it; it’s how our brains and bodies were designed.

But just because a difficult situation becomes familiar doesn’t mean it isn't taking a toll on our bodies.

 

 

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You may not realize this, but sources of stress can be physical as well as mental or emotional. Things such as a harsh climate, chronic illness, or working out too hard and not allowing sufficient recovery time are ways that our bodies get stressed, even if we’re feeling happy and on top of the world.

Here are five signs that your body is chronically stressed out, and what you can do about it. I have also included a recap of the herbs and teas at the end for quick reference.

 

1. Your Mind Won't Shut Off

A racing mind is a clue that your nervous system is having a hard time powering down. If this is you, one of the best habits you can cultivate is journaling. Get those thoughts out of your head and on to paper. It helps to stop the spin and unravel those mental tangles that go round and round. Writing in a journal allows you to do a brain dump. Simply write freely, and don’t censor what you’re saying, just let it all out.

For overthinkers, there is an herb that is considered the supreme plant for worrywarts: it’s called passionflower. This botanical soothes the nerves, and is believed to be one of the best plant helpers to calm racing thoughts. You can find passionflower in these Loose Leaf tea blends: Daily Calm and Nitey Nite.

 

 

2. You Have Chronic Insomnia

Chronic sleeplessness is a sure sign that your nervous system is wired and needs help relaxing. If you are dealing with chronic insomnia, hear this: get off the sedate-and-caffeinate hamster wheel. While it may be tempting to take a strong sleep aid to knock you out, and get jacked on caffeine to get you going the next day, this is a vicious cycle which will never solve the sleeplessness problem; it will actually prolong it. Instead, switch to a low caffeine beverage in the morning, such as green tea, then stop the caffeine by noon. Switch to a calming tea during the day in order to get your nervous system calm and balanced. In the evening, avoid taking anything too strongly sedating. It might take a little while to retrain your body, but the results will be worth it. Bedtime teas that contain valerian (to help you get to sleep) and California poppy (to improve the quality of sleep) will be most helpful, without making you feel groggy in the morning.

Let's recap:

1. In the morning drink tea, instead of coffee. Here are my favorite morning blends: Coffee Quitter, Bulletproof Breakfast, and Tigger & Pu. If you want completely caffeine-free blends, try Smooth Jazz and An Elephant Never Forgets.
2. Stop the caffeine by noon.
3. Drink a calming, herbal tea during the day, like Lush Lavender.
4. At night, drink a tea with valerian and california poppy. Our favorite one is Nitey Nite.

Read also: 10 Uncommon Tips To Help You Get The Sleep You Need 

 

 

3. Your Digestion Is Out Of Whack

Stress can take its toll on our gut health. When you’re under stress, you may experience bloating, gas, cramping, and lack of appetite. Other problems you may experience include diarrhea, constipation, and reflux/heartburn. The brain and the gut are always communicating; there are more neurons in the gut than in the spine. So when the nervous system is under stress, your gut might end up bearing the brunt of that stress.

Here’s something interesting: many of the herbal teas that soothe and relax the body are also known for soothing the stomach, especially the herbs in the mint family, such as spearmint, peppermint, lemon balm, and lavender. Chamomile isn’t one of the mints, but also falls under the category of being beneficial to both the nervous system and digestion. While not as tasty as chamomile or the mints, a tea made from mugwort is especially helpful for stress that affects the gut.

Loose Leaf teas for digestion include:

• Bye Bye Bloat (for bloating and gas)
• Stomach Soother (for inflammation, nausea, and cramping)
• Anxiety Relief can ease feelings of nausea during times of strong emotions and stress

 

 

4. Your Body Is Storing Excess Belly Fat

Most of our stresses are modern, but our physiology is ancient. Our bodies respond to stress the way the bodies of our ancestors did: by perceiving stress as famine, and consequently storing fat as a means to survive. No matter how many crunches you do, those extra rolls aren’t going away as long as your stress levels remain high. And here’s the kicker: if you keep working out even more intensely, pushing yourself harder and harder, that only adds to the stress load, making it even more challenging to lose those pounds.

The sanest approach to that vicious circle is to address the stress naturally:

• Practice relaxing breathing techniques
• Journal your repetitive thoughts
• Avoid junk food and sugar
• Drink stress-relieving teas
• Work out moderately in a way that feels like self-care rather than punishment for gaining weight

Read also: Kita's Tips To Relieve Stress Instantly

 

5. You Are Always Getting Sick.

When cortisol levels, a.k.a. your stress hormone levels, remain high it can impair the ability of the immune system to fight off infections and other harmful substances. This can make you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other illnesses. In addition, chronic stress can cause inflammation in the body, which can also weaken the immune system and make it more difficult for the body to fight off infections.

When it comes to tea, there are several options that may be beneficial for supporting the immune system during times of stress. Green Tea contains powerful antioxidants that can help to support the immune system. It can also help to reduce inflammation caused by chronic stress. Echinacea Tea contains compounds that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects. Lastly, Lemon Balm Tea; Lemon balm is a calming herb that also has natural antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help to support the immune system.

 

The Best Herbs & Teas For Chronic Stress

To recap, here is the list of herbs and teas to help you on your way to feeling better and avoiding the major diseases that can happen when stress becomes chronic, such as heart ailments, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

• For worry and repetitive thoughts: Drink teas with passionflower.
• To calm, strengthen, and nourish the nervous system: Drink teas with lemon balm, lavender, oatstraw, skullcap, tulsi, and spearmint..
• For better sleep: Valerian helps you fall asleep more readily, and california poppy may improve the quality of your sleep.
• Herbs for better gut health: Peppermint and spearmint are excellent for relieving gas and bloating, and mugwort is great for that nervous stress that goes straight to your belly.
• To help with stress-related belly fat: All of the teas above!
• How to support the immune system during times of stress: Green tea, echinacea tea, and lemon balm tea

 

Here Are The Best Loose Leaf Tea Blends For Stress:

1. Daily Calm is soothing and mild, with a pleasing flavor. The more you drink it, the better it works.
2. Anxiety Relief is helpful when feelings of stress start to become unmanageable, and you begin to experience feelings of anxiety such as racing heart, digestive distress, tense muscles, and sweaty palms.
3. Lush Lavender eases the body and mind, and the deep blue color of the tea has an additional calming effect on the mood and emotions.
4. Ginseng Green Dragon is low in caffeine, and contains antioxidant-rich green tea and two herbs (ginseng and jiaogulan) that protect your body from the negative effects from stress.
5. Inflammation Relief is a soothing herbal blend that fights both inflammation and stress. It also has a soothing effect on the stomach.
6. Hug In A Mug is great for the combo of anxiousness, upset tummy, and low immunity.
7. Nitey Nite is a caffeine-free blend of organic herbs that promotes restful sleep without waking up feeling groggy. Sweet dreams, friend. 

 

Thank you so much for reading! If you found this blog to be helpful, share it with someone else who will benefit from it. By doing so, you just might make a huge difference in their life.