This two-part series was inspired by a moment between my husband and myself.  He was rushing (as we feel we are both always doing these days between work, business and everything in between), and he said he didn't feel like he could calm down and relax. I ended up agreeing that I felt the same way, and went into the pantry and grabbed us both a tryptophan (read ahead for more info on this supplement).  

Been there? Where your heart feels like it doesn't want to slow down, and the feeling that you're either tight in the chest or having a hard time catching your breath? It's called anxiety, and lots of people experience this on a daily basis.  The best way to conquer it is really daily exercise, which sometimes isn't always as feasible to squeeze in as it should be.  Related: How Managing Stress Levels Can Slow Aging

So many folks are looking for ways to help reduce anxiety, feel relaxed, and give them a break from the nonstop nature of our lives today. After the pandemic, there are plenty who also are looking for healthier ways to unwind.

Healthy Ways to Relax : Do They Exist?

Alcohol consumption had a sharp uptick during the initial stages of Covid and boredom and anxiety were on the rise amidst social gathering restrictions, distancing measures and public places being shut down.

So now that our lives are getting back to normal, those same people are looking for healthier ways to relax that does not involve alcohol consumption or worse. That’s what inspired this write up. 

Non-Alcoholic Relaxation Drinks Have Exploded in Popularity

They feature adaptogens and other types of amino acids, herbs and vitamins that are known to help the body and mind stop racing in a thousand directions. Supplements in every form including tablets, capsules, liquids and more have also gained a huge following. 

There are actually some great supplements that can help you attain a more stable mood, relaxed state of mind, and overall zen, as we’ll discover here. Who knows, you may even discover one you’d never heart of or read about! Related: Lysine - Can It Help Heal Cold Sores and Increase Collagen?

Now of course, there’s not one thing that can do all of that for you. It takes a balanced approach that includes good sleep, a healthy diet, steady exercise and a healthy, half glass full outlook on life.

Tryptophan

Tryptophan is one that just about everyone can recognize. It’s the chemical that makes your Thanksgiving turkey put everyone to sleep after the traditional namesake meal. Of course, it couldn’t be all the other rich side dishes (wink wink), but the reputation for the sleepiness felt by most everyone after this big celebratory meal has been attributed mostly to this chemical.

While it may be a bit overblown as far as that mythological effect, tryptophan can definitely help induce relaxation and even prep you for sleep before bed. But can it really relax you without knocking you out?

My personal experience is that tryptophan is more useful for relaxing before bedtime or if you’re having a really stressful day and need to help calm your nerves. I don’t think, personally, it works as well as a sleep aid. It may help you get in gear for bed time, but it may not help you ‘stay asleep’ which is something lots of people struggle with these days.

Magnesium

Magnesium is actually my favorite supplement for relaxation. It is not only important to help soothe nerves and regulate nerve function, but it has other important roles in metabolism, weight management, mood regulation, heart health and more.

Magnesium is a key ingredient for overall health, and yet so many people are deficient in this extremely important mineral. Much of this important mineral has been stripped out of processed foods, so eating a minimally processed diet can help you get more magnesium. 

Magnesium is also important for bone health and is vital in efficiently processing calories consumed that contain protein and fats. If you’re interested in enriching your diet in this incredibly important and pivotal mineral, try increasing your intake of spinach, avocados, almonds, cashews and dark chocolate to name a few. And eat as much as you can unprocessed. Related: Magnesium Oil, Natural Deodorant and More

Soak in an epsom salt bath, or buy yourself some magnesium oil spray. Some studies show that absorbing magnesium through the skin is actually more efficient than taking a supplement. Epsom baths can be incredibly relaxing before bed if you have the half hour to spare to soak. If you don't, the latter options of a magnesium oil spray will do the trick.  

Processed, packaged foods don’t contain a ton of beneficial magnesium. The processing strips it out in its natural form and most of what you see it may retain is likely the man-made stuff. Then again, this goes for most nutrients in processed foods, and magnesium is no exception.

CBD

Perhaps nothing more hyped for relaxation and stress relief over the past decade or so is CBD oil. A plethora of CBD based products are on the market today, promising everything from stress relief to anxiety maintenance. CBD Gummies are one of the most popular options in this arena, and there are plenty to choose from.

CBD oil is a byproduct of cannabis, which of course if the plant that is used to make marijuana cigarettes. Unlike the stigma that comes with smoking though, CBD products have come a long way into the mainstream and are an accepted form of self-treatment.

I’ve tried CBD gummies, and some of the drinks that are available like CBD infused sparkling waters and soda-like products. They do help you relax. I have found that for me personally, the effect does not last long and sometimes after it wears off, I actually felt my anxiety a little more acutely than I did before consuming the CBD. But everyone is unique and it certainly does help a lot of people to relax and help abate anxiety.

This is a two part series, so join us next time when we talk about supplements that can help relax you. We’ll talk about two more in the next article, taurine and GABA. Related: Is Adding Taurine to Your Regimen Worth a Look?