3 Natural Supplements to reduce symptoms of anxiety & low mood

I've never met anyone who doesn't suffer from stress in some way; some suffer more than others, but none the less; it impacts all of us to a certain degree.

Stress can be brought on in many ways, such as significant life events and traumas, overworking, being overweight, relationships and nutritional imbalances.

Some forms of stress on the body are less obvious, like digestional issues or an unhappy gut, poor posture affecting breathing, tight hips and hamstrings holding onto tension and unease, poor quality sleep, overtraining, and simply eating too much or too often.

Stress has many faces. Some people shout and scream, talk negatively and or cry. Others can go inwards, stop going out, over or undereat or we have the individuals that look like nothing bothers them. Still, it accumulates in their body, expressing chronic pain, high blood pressure and headaches.

Everyone is an individual, and it's imperative to notice the signs and symptoms your amazing body signals when you need to take some time out.

There are hundreds of supplements for stress and anxiety. I would always look at nutrition, sleep and movement, alongside blood work, to get to the root cause, especially if ongoing. Always consult a medical professional or dietitian first if unsure.

The three supplements below are natural, easily implemented and accessible from Amazon or local shops and my favorite recommendations to clients as well as to use on myself.

1) Omega 3 fish oil or Algae oil

Fish oil is derived from oily fish such as mackerel, herring, tuna and salmon and can offer higher quality omega-3 fatty acids than some shop-bought fish today. Algae oil is a vegan alternative and oil from marine algae that the fish eat.

Getting enough fish/algae oil in your diet is a no-brainer if you are stressed out or have high cortisol. The antidepressant effects of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically the EPA component research, have shown that consuming one gram (1000 milligrams) or more of EPA daily can positively impact mood, reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health and elevate overall well-being.

A good brand is Nutravita and available in fish and algae oil and can be purchased from Amazon.

2) Ashwagandha

In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha has been used for over 2,500 years for its thyroid-modulating, neuroprotective, anti-anxiety, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Some of the many uses for ashwagandha include: a natural stress reliever, helps to decrease inflammation, lowers cortisol, balances the thyroid, strengthens the immune system after illness and improves sleep quality.

Ashwagandha supplements come in extract, capsule and powder forms.

I mix a teaspoon of powder in a bit of water in the morning and evening when required, but a word of warning doesn't taste great, so consider a capsule form.

3) Essential oils

I first used essential oils in India during my Yoga course after learning about the fantastic healing properties from our Ayurvedic doctor.

Essential oils can quickly uplift you, calm and relax; enliven, motivate, and inspire you; harmonise and balance your emotions; and help improve many crucial physical and psychological functions.

I buy them in two forms; individual oils that I apply on my wrist and neck before meditation and massage oil, which I use after bathing.

My eleven-year-old nephew (who can be a little anxious) loves them, and they are great to apply to the wrist of your children if feeling a little apprehensive before school or before bed.

Some of my favorite calming flavors include lavender, sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, sweet orange and lemongrass. They can be bought individually or as a combination of stress relief oil.