Drinks for stress

Top 10 Drinks to Relieve Stress

That is why more and more people are looking for safer and more natural solutions to combat stress. Consuming natural beverages like kava tea, green tea and warm milk or drink supplements in the market which have a calming effect on the body is becoming increasingly popular.

Chamomile tea is a very popular herbal tea that has its origins in Europe and has been widely used to treat stress, anxiety and insomnia. It is known to calm your nervous system, relax the muscles and help you get a good nights sleep especially if taken before bed time.

After a long day at work, the warm, soothing nature of this beverage can help increase the levels of the hormones serotonin and melatonin in your body which help to reduce your stress and worry and get a good nights sleep.

Method of Chamomile Tea Preparation

Put a chamomile tea bag or chamomile flowers in hot water and steep for three to five minutes. Then, drink the infusion when it has cooled.

Drinking warm milk at night in order to get a good nights sleep is an age old tradition which is familiar to most Indians.

Milk contains the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin, the feel good neurotransmitter which helps to improve your mood as well as have a calming effect. Also the warm temperature exerts a calming and soothing effect on the body. This is especially useful when you are stressed out after a hard days work and need to get good quality sleep. You can also add one teaspoon of turmeric to the warm milk for added anti inflammatory benefit.

Tart cherry juice is made from the fruit of the Prunus cerasus tree, which is native to southwest Asia and Europe. Tart cherries have become increasingly popular due to their health benefits. Tart cherries are naturally rich in melatonin, a hormone which helps to regulate your sleep cycles.

Tart cherries also contain a good amount of compounds tryptophan and anthocyanins that help the body create melatonin which helps to improve sleep quality. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2010 showed that regular intake of tart cherry juice helps to significantly reduce insomnia as well as reduce muscle soreness.

Kava is a beverage made from root of Piper methysticum plant. It has been used by Pacific Islanders of Hawaii, Vanatu, Fiji, Tonga and Solomon Islands since a long time. The name Kava comes from Polynesian word awa which means bitter.

The active chemical ingredients in Kava are compounds known as kavalactones. which affect brain chemistry in ways similar to antidepressants and anti anxiety drugs. The, most effective kavalactone for anxiety reduction is kavain. Kava helps to ease a persons mind while maintaining clarity, offering temporary relief from anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Basically kava is a depressant; it slows down the messages between brain and the body.

Studies conducted by University of Melbourne in 2013 found that Kava could be as effective as current drug treatments with a lesser risk of dependency and side effects.

Method of Kava Tea Preparation

Pour hot water in a bowl. Put kava in a strainer bag and immerse the bag in water for ten to fifteen minutes. Lavender and chamomile may be added for additional flavor. Then, drink the infusion when it has cooled.

Two tablespoons of kava powder can also be blended into a cup of water, milk, soy milk or coconut milk for added taste and variety.

Green tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant. Green Tea is renowned for its numerous health benefits which are believed to be due to two substances found almost exclusively in green tea, EGCG [Epigallocatechin-3-gallate] and L-theanine.

EGCG is rich in antioxidants and helps to minimize oxidative damage in cells and improve the functions of your body and brain.

L-theanine, an amino acid, is responsible for the unique flavor of green tea as well as its relaxing effects. According to a study people who took four cups of green tea daily were less likely to feel depressed. Green tea stimulates release of chemicals like serotonin and dopamine to fight depression stress and anxiety while enhancing your overall well being.

Method of preparation

Add half a tablespoon of powdered green tea leaves in 200 milliliters of water. Boil until leaves settle to the bottom. Strain before drinking. The longer you brew, the more theanine you will extract from the green tea leaves, but the more bitter the tea will become.

Oat straw comes from the green oats, Avena sativa. This traditional remedy has been used to treat nervous exhaustion and depression. Oat Straw contains Vitamin B, which has a soothing and nourishing action on the central nervous system. Regular consumption of Oats Straw helps to increase blood flow to the brain and helps you feel more alert. It has been used to support brain health, boost energy, lower the risk of cardiac disease, lower stress and reduce anxiety levels.

Method of Oat Straw Tea Preparation

Add one tablespoon of Oat Straw in 200 milliliters of boiling water and steep for ten to twenty minutes. Then, drink the infusion when it has cooled.

Fresh juice contains plenty of vitamins and minerals which help our bodies to cope with all the pressure and stress in an effective manner. Making fresh juice out of nutrient rich fruits and vegetables, floods your body with antioxidants and essential nutrients and helps the body fight and heal from the damage stress and anxiety can cause.

According to the University of Maryland, those who consume 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C daily or more, generally react more mildly to stressful situations. Also fresh juice helps to keep your blood pressure under control. Your Cortisol [stress hormone] levels tend to be higher in the mornings, hence having fresh juice in the mornings is a great and tasty way to start the day.

Fresh juices of green leafy veggies like kale, spinach, lettuce are rich sources of Vitamin B, an important vitamin for the nerves and for stress management. Veggies like carrot, squash, tomatoes, and beetroot are abundant in Vitamin A and can be added to the green veggies for added flavor and benefit.

Coconut water is the liquid inside a tender coconut and is a popular drink all over the world for its refreshing taste along with its nutritious and health benefiting properties. It is one of the richest sources of electrolytes, chlorides, potassium and magnesium, along with dietary fiber, manganese, calcium, riboflavin and vitamin C. These help to boost energy levels, reduce stress and anxiety, help you to sleep better, relax the muscles and improve blood circulation.

Coconut water helps prevent dehydration and the potassium content benefits your blood pressure and heart function.

We all know that if you do not drink enough water your body gets dehydrated and does not function properly. The blood thickens and leads to a poor blood flow throughout the body. Endorphins [hormones that improve your mood and sense of well being] may not reach their target destinations and this may contribute to stress, anxiety and your brain may start to lose focus.

According to a research conducted by the University of Connecticut in 2012 even a loss of 1. 5 percent in normal water volume in the body can alter a persons mood, energy level and the ability to think clearly.

Lemon Balm is a herb which has a natural mint flavor with a slight lemony taste. It has been in use since the middle ages, where it was used mostly as a sedative and stress reliever.

Lemon Balm tea has a calming and relaxing effect on the body and should be taken mainly before bedtime to elevate your mood and relieve your stress and anxiety.

Method of Lemon Balm Tea preparation

Add one tablespoon of dried lemon balm leaves or two tablespoons of fresh lemon balm leaves in 200 milliliters of boiling water. Let the tea simmer for three to five minutes. Strain before drinking.

Stress is an inseparable part of our lives. How we deal with it makes all the difference. First try healthy natural recipes to relieve stress rather than turning to alcohol, anti depressant and anti anxiety drugs as a quick fix. Scientific studies have proven the efficacy of the above mentioned top ten stress relieving drinks. It is advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle which will help you tackle your stress levels in a more effective and long lasting manner.

7 Everyday Tonics that Help Soothe Stress and Anxiety

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We’ve all been there — feeling like there’s just some pep missing in our step. Thankfully, there’s a natural (and tasty!) solution in your pantry.

We’re big fans of brewing up healthy concoctions, whether it’s immune-boosting mushroom “coffee” or insomnia-fighting bedtime milk.

So instead of reaching for that third cup of coffee for an energy boost or a nightcap to de-stress, we rounded up seven natural tonics filled with everyday ingredients that are known as powerful remedies for fighting fatigue, anxiety, and stress. Think: apple cider vinegar, matcha, ginger, and turmeric to name a few.

Keep reading to discover your new favorite flavorful drink.

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Ginger has benefits beyond flavoring your favorite stir-fry recipe or easing an upset stomach. This powerhouse plant contains 14 unique bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. These compounds have been found to sharpen cognitive function in middle-aged women and may even protect the brain, per a study in rats, against oxidative stress-related damage.

Animal studies have also indicated that ginger can influence serotonin levels and may treat and reduce anxiety as successfully as benzodiazepine drugs.

Ginger benefits:

improved brain function
antioxidant support
treatment for stress

Try it: Brew this healthy ginger tonic (hot or cold) for a dose of powerful antioxidants. Fresh ginger is the way to go, but if you’re planning on supplementing, recommended doses vary.

Possible side effects
Ginger doesn’t have many serious side effects. Just make sure you’re not overdosing (more than 4 grams) as it could irritate your stomach.

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Maca root is increasingly popular lately — and for good reason. This native Peruvian plant has been shown to increase sexual desire in men (and possibly sexual function, too). 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 (called flavonoids) may promote a positive mood and reduce blood pressure and depression (as shown in postmenopausal women).

Maca benefits:

increased energy
balanced mood
reduced blood pressure and depression

Try it: Simply mix maca powder into your daily smoothie, cup of coffee, or hot cocoa (here’s a tasty recipe!). 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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Sip matcha for a clean, jitter-free buzz. Matcha contains flavonoids and L-theanine, which is historically known for its relaxing effects. L-theanine increases the brain’s alpha frequency band, relaxing the mind without causing drowsiness.

Combined with caffeine, L-theanine may have positive effects on mood and cognition. Considering matcha is also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, it can be a powerful tonic for beating fatigue and boosting your overall health.

Matcha benefits:

positive effects on mood
promotes relaxation
provides sustained energy

Try it: Brew a cup of matcha tea with convenient tea bags or whip up this Magic Matcha Tonic using matcha powder. The caffeine in matcha is fairly strong! You may be able to feel the effects within the hour.

Possible side effects
Just as you can be over-caffeinated on coffee, it’s possible to drink too much matcha. While it may be healthier, stick to just one or two cups a day.

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Reishi mushrooms, nicknamed “nature’s Xanax,” are a great natural way to de-stress. This mushroom contains the compound triterpene, which is known for its calming properties. It also possesses anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant qualities.

This magic mushroom may also promote better sleep (as shown in studies on rats), leaving you more rested and focused throughout your day.

Reishi benefits:

promotes more restful sleep
has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties
possesses powerful calming agents

Try it: Use a spoonful of reishi powder to make a warm, healing tonic or tea.

Possible side effects
While research around the benefits of reishi’s is still lacking, what’s available shows that they may be associated with liver damage. Other than that, the side effects are minor (such as an upset stomach). Talk to your doctor if you’re considering supplementing with these mushrooms as people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those with a blood problem, or anyone needing surgery should avoid it.

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Apple cider vinegar has uses beyond that tasty vinaigrette. This vinegar can have a direct impact on your blood sugar levels, helping you maintain even energy and preventing fatigue. Apple cider vinegar also contains essential minerals like potassium, which has a direct correlation on our energy levels.

Apple cider vinegar benefits:

controls blood sugar
maintains even energy levels
may help promote overall health

Try it: Simply mix apple cider vinegar into warm or cold water or try making this Apple Cider Vinegar Tea Tonic. After drinking 1 gram, you may feel the effects within 95 minutes.

Possible side effects
Large doses of apple cider vinegar may cause some side effects, including digestive issues, damaged tooth enamel, and throat burns. It may also interact with your medications, so talk to your doctor if you’re planning to drink it regularly.

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Turmeric lattes are all over the internet, but are they backed by science or just trendy? We’re happy to report that turmeric stands up to its popularity — especially in terms of mental health.

Curcumin, the bioactive compound found in turmeric, has been linked to treating anxiety, depression, and more — possibly due to it boosting serotonin and dopamine levels. Research has suggested that it may actually be just as effective as Prozac with far fewer side effects.

Turmeric benefits:

boosts serotonin levels
can help relieve anxiety and depression
may be just as effective as antidepressants

Try it: Try this refreshing anti-inflammatory Turmeric Tonic for something a little different. The results may not be immediate, but if you drink it 1000 milligrams daily for six weeks, you may start feeling a difference then.

Possible side effects
For the most part, turmeric is safe to eat. But you may want to avoid too much of it and make sure you’re getting it from a trusted source. High doses of turmeric may cause kidney stones, and untrustworthy sources tend to have fillers.

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If you’re not familiar with this adaptogen, it’s a good time to learn. Adaptogens are naturally occuring substances that help our bodies deal with and adapt to stress.

Ashwagandha in particular is a stress-fighting superstar. This adaptogen has been shown to aid in anxiety relief, fight fatigue, and reduce cortisol levels.

Ashwagandha benefits:

reduces body’s stress hormone
relieves anxiety
prevents stress-related fatigue

Try it: Sip this Ashwagandha Tonic to sleep sound and melt stress. It may take drinking two cups a day (with 150 milligrams of ashwagandha) for a month before you feel the effects.

Possible side effects
There aren’t enough studies to say exactly what the side effects of this herb are, but those who are pregnant will want to avoid it, as it can cause early delivery. Another risk of taking ashwagandha is the source. Untrustworthy sources tend to have harmful additives.

As always, check in with your doctor first before adding anything to your everyday routine. While most of these herbs, spices, and teas are safe to consume, drinking too much in a day may be harmful.

So, with all of these amazing stress-fighting tonics to choose from, which one are you most excited to try first?

Tiffany La Forge is a professional chef, recipe developer, and food writer who runs the blog Parsnips and Pastries. Her blog focuses on real food for a balanced life, seasonal recipes, and approachable health advice. When she’s not in the kitchen, Tiffany enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling, organic gardening, and hanging out with her corgi, Cocoa. Visit her at her blog or on Instagram.

Drinks from stress: 7 recipes that will save your nerves ☕️

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Staying calm in our time seems to be a very difficult task, especially when spring is unstable in terms of weather and a lot of changes. However, it is at such times that you should first of all take care of yourself and monitor your well-being. There are many ways that can calm your nerves, not least calming drinks. Let's find out a couple of such useful recipes that will save our soul and warm it from the inside 😉

Herbal tea with chamomile

Perhaps you yourself have been advised to drink chamomile tea more than once when you were too stressed. Chamomile has many beneficial properties, including sedatives. I think that the time has come to try this drink in action 😎

Ingredients:

Method of preparation:

pour hot water over 0 minutes; nine0003
Add some lemon zest and leave the decoction for another 2-3 minutes;
Strain the drink through a sieve;
You can add sugar or honey to taste.

Well, or you can brew ready-made tea with chamomile 😎

Of course, even the process of self-brewing will already help you relieve stress. True, if you are one of the impatient or especially tired ones who can pour boiling water over tea at most, then the option in bags is especially for you! nine0003

What they write in the reviews: Excellent packaging that preserves all the taste of the product. Pleasant aftertaste.

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Warm milk with spices

Warm milk is another standard folk recipe. Milk, due to the combination of calcium and special amino acids, does a good job of putting your head in order, and spices, in turn, add zest to the drink 😍

Ingredients:

200 ml of milk (you can vegetable)
Half of the teaspoon of vanilla extract
Hamed -free male turmeric
9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 tablespoons ground ginger
A pinch of ground cloves
A pinch of ground black pepper
A pinch of nutmeg

Preparation:

Pour the milk into a small saucepan and add the vanilla extract;
Heat milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steam is seen. Don't let it boil!
Whilst the milk is heating, mix the rest of the spices in a small bowl;
After the milk has warmed up, add the spices to the pot and mix thoroughly. Ready! ☕️

Ginger-Lavender Drink

Lavender is mild-tasting and has a good relaxing effect, and its scent itself is used in aromatherapy. Ginger, on the other hand, contains many useful substances that help with health, and its taste especially complements the drink. Together they will definitely save you even after the hardest day ✊🏻

Ingredients:

200 ml boiling water
A teaspoon of grated ginger root
Third teaspoon of lavender flowers
Honey or sugar to taste

Method of preparation:

LAVANDA flowers and ginger with boiling water and let go of it for 10-12 minutes;
Strain the drink through a sieve and add honey or sugar to taste. Ready!

Hot chocolate

Each of us has heard about the beneficial properties of chocolate more than once, but perhaps the most important of them is a mood lift. Many hot chocolate helps to remember the pleasant moments that make you smile again. Let's see how to prepare this drink itself 🧐

Ingredients:

100 grams of bitter chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
200 ml of milk (you can plant)
1 table spoon 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Preparation:

Break the chocolate into small pieces or chop with a knife;
Rinse the saucepan in cold water and then pour milk into it;
Heat it over low heat, stirring slowly;
When the milk is already hot, but not yet boiling, add chocolate to it and start stirring with a whisk;
Cook until the chocolate is completely melted. Then add sugar to taste 🍫

Tip: Be careful not to boil the milk!

Vanilla Chocolate Cherry Drink

If you don't feel like drinking anything hot, this recipe is just for you. Cherries are good for those who have trouble sleeping, as they contain an analogue of melatonin, which is responsible for our internal clock. So this is the perfect drink to try just before bed 🍒

Ingredients:

200 ml of cherry juice
1 vanilla stick or 2-3 drops of vanilla extract
2 Black chocolate

Method of preparation: 9000 9000

Preservation 7 minutes, then pull out;
Melt the chocolate. The safest way to do this is in a water bath;
Add chocolate to the drink and mix thoroughly. You can try your cherry-chocolate dessert! 😉

Banana Smoothie

Another refreshing drink. If you add almond paste to a banana, you have two sources of potassium and magnesium, minerals known to help relax muscles. Let's start cooking it 😎

Ingredients:

Preparation method:

Peel it in small pieces on a banana;
Add the almond paste and milk to the banana, then whisk everything together. Make sure that there are no lumps left in the drink. Pour everything into your favorite glass and decorate with banana slices on top 🍌

Oat milk

This drink will not only help you relax, but also take your thoughts for a while with its preparation. Oat milk is well absorbed by the body, rich in various vitamins and even contains protein, so it will definitely be good for your body. Let's see how you can make it yourself 🥛

Ingredients:

oat flakes and water in relation to 1:10 (per 100 g of flakes will require a liter of water)
Tea spoon of vanilla extract
9000
A pinch of nutmeg
A pinch of cinnamon

Preparation method:

It is better to start cooking in the evening. Pour the flakes into a suitable container and fill them with cold water. Leave everything to infuse for 8-12 hours; nine0003
Then put the cereal in a blender and add the ginger, vanilla extract and nutmeg. Beat oatmeal until such time as they turn into a homogeneous mass;
Then the drink should be strained through a sieve or cheesecloth to avoid getting particles of flakes;
The drink obtained after straining is oat milk. It should not be stored for more than three days;
If desired, the milk can also be warmed up and add more cinnamon to taste. nine0003

Compact format for those who are too lazy to cook at home for a day 😉

If making milk with your own hands for a long time and with soul is not an option for you, then you can simply choose a ready-made product. It will be especially convenient to choose compact packages that can be easily put in a bag and not open a two-liter pack for a couple of sips. Well, sometimes it happens 😅

What they write in the reviews: Excellent alternative to milk, budget and tasty)

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Do not forget that often the very preparation of a drink can bring you relaxation, as this is a rather meditative activity, for a minute. All of these recipes are not difficult to follow, so we hope that they will help you feel better. Hold on! ✊🏻

Katya Vasilchenko, Maria Selyukova

What to drink to calm your nerves 9Pexels Therapist Larisa Alekseeva told in an interview with Evening Moscow what drinks help to calm down.

Melissa and mint

According to the doctor, herbal teas are the best for stress and panic attacks:

— A long time ago, scientists from China and India conducted a global experiment and found that 70 percent of people who drink tea based on herbal preparations experience less negative emotions. Of course, we are not talking about packaged drinks, but real dried and specially processed drinks.

Lemon balm infusion, as the specialist said, has a mild and calming effect. This herb has slightly antispasmodic properties:

- Suitable for people who have increased emotional tension and excitability, disturbed sleep. Fees and tinctures on the grass can be purchased at the pharmacy. nine0003

The expert recommends mixing lemon balm with mint to achieve a good effect - it is both tasty and healthy.

Chamomile tea

"Defensive reaction": psychologist Zberovsky explained how to deal with news stress

This drink will help you fall asleep faster if you suffer from insomnia, and also if it is difficult for you to calm down during nervous breakdowns.

— There are a lot of useful substances in the drink, for example, apigenin, — the doctor specified. - This flavonoid has anti-inflammatory properties, quickly relieves stress and tension. Yes, and in chamomile collections there are many such plant flavonoids as chrysins. And they just reduce anxiety and panic.

Such drinks are prescribed for people who even have hysterical attacks, the therapist added.

Milk Oolong

Among the varieties of tea, there is one that can be called the leader of anti-stress drinks, the physician assured. We are talking about milk oolong:

- The drink differs in the type of fermentation. It has a sedative relaxing effect, so you can drink it even in the evening, it will not disturb sleep. The drink allows you to quickly get out of a nervous state, tones up and makes it possible to calm down.

Green tea

Green tea is another way to help prevent stress, Alekseeva said. It contains a unique amino acid that is rarely found in food - L-theanine:

- This substance is able to affect the level of cortisol in our body. Cortisol is known to be a stress hormone. nine0003

And just green tea does a great job of reducing anxiety in a patient, the specialist clarified.

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