The Good Goods
In my blog entitled “Adaptogens,” I talked about how I started to incorporate herbs and adaptogens into my diet. But, the first thing I did was learn more about my anxiety disorder. This disorder used to be much more severe for me, but as I’ve grown in my health journey, I’ve found ways to manage it. The most significant component of navigating my health has been learning about how my body works. The conclusion I came to with all of my research is that anxiety disorder results from an overactive adrenal system. Now let me be clear that this is not true of ALL anxiety disorders, but it is in many cases. When your adrenal system is over-producing the fight or flight chemical called Cortisol, and it is left unmanaged, high cortisol levels can severely affect your health. Left untreated, high Cortisol can increase your risk of extreme health conditions, including, but not limited to, psychiatric disorders; like anxiety disorder. Unlike ancient humans, our perceived conditions that are life-threatening are very different today, and most of us have overactive adrenal systems.
We’re no longer running from wild animals. We are running from one meeting to the next and racing to meet deadlines, or maybe it’s running from toxic relationships and continuously watching tragedies unfold, not just in our own lives but worldwide. Because of this, our bodies are in an almost constant state of fight or flight. Have you ever noticed that when you’re in a life-threatening situation, your muscles tense up? That’s because your body is physically preparing to run or fight for your life. Imagine that happening while you’re sitting at a desk for eight hours or while watching the news.
I took an anti-anxiety medication to help my adrenal system manage stress and function properly. It wasn’t long before I was looking for an herbal substitute. I searched for herbal supplements that support your adrenal and central nervous system specifically. One of the very first adaptogens I found that worked was ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is one of the most essential herbs in Ayurveda, a form of alternative medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing. It has been used for over 3,000 years to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration. Another herb I found recently is lemon balm. Lemon balm is an herb that has a calming and uplifting effect. But my favorite herb so far is valerian root! It’s the closest thing I’ve found to an herbal Xanax.
Incorporating herbs into my diet was a bit of a challenge and experiment. It always is! If you Google “herbs for anxiety,” you’re going to get quite a list, but not all herbs will agree with you. I had to try each one out separately and see which one worked best for me. It took a few months of trial and error, but I finally found the right combination that works for me and which ones don’t. I invite everyone who’s reading this blog to entertain the idea of exploring herbal remedies with an open mind and being available to what you might find, even if it’s something you didn’t expect. As always, I recommend doing extensive research, talking to your doctor, and being cautious. I started my wellness journey back in 2013. All the knowledge I share here on ConnecticFitness has been seven (7) years of research and experimentation. A journey that continues and one that I wouldn’t change for anything!
To hear me talk more about adaptogens and herbs listen to me on The Jealous Vegan podcast Episode 74 -Activate your super powders.