Natural Ways to Combat Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia

Daily stress may well be the main factor that prevents people from getting quality sleep and the reason people are experiencing more stress, heightened anxiety, and depression.

People tend to worry about everything these days, and at the end of the day, we are more depressed, anxious, and can’t even get a proper night’s rest.

Addressing these mental and emotional health issues is now vital to live healthier. It is up to us to change for the better, because these issues can cause other problems and lower our overall quality of life.

Most common sleep disorder today – insomnia

Insomnia is basically a sleep disorder that affects millions of people today. Nearly 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder, with 30% of adults experiencing short-term insomnia and about 10% of people have long-lasting insomnia, according to the American Sleep Association.

We are talking here about difficulties falling asleep, difficulties staying asleep, or waking up too early. Keep in mind getting enough sleep is crucial for overall good health. Almost 40% of people report accidentally falling asleep during the day, which is a danger in and of itself.

As you wake up throughout the night, this can cause sleep deprivation, which leaves you more vulnerable to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure or stroke. You are also susceptible to other problems like obesity, lower sex drive, anxiety, and depression.

Chronic sleep deprivation can even affect your memory formation and appearance.

Mental health plague – anxiety and depression

The other serious health issues plaguing society is anxiety and depression. These two are very common, affecting 40 million adults in the US, or 18.1% of the population every year.

Today, just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety. Cases of anxiety and depression have actually increased during COVID, requiring special care to avoid further damage.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), people with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who don't suffer from anxiety disorders.   

Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. That's why we need to fight sleep disorders, anxiety and depression in the best way possible. And one of the best ways to do that is by using all-natural remedies.

Fighting insomnia, anxiety and depression naturally

Those who experience anxiety or depression may be aware of some natural ways to relieve and manage the health issues, including physical exercises like walking, running, swimming, and participating in a sport of your choice. If these activities are hard, you can also try meditation or yoga.

The market is also full of products and medications that can be prescribed to help relieve sleep disorders, anxiety and depression, but many of these are not all-natural. An all-natural product is essentially a chemical compound or substance produced by a living organism, that is found naturally in nature, or made using organic ingredients.

People are increasingly looking for “natural” products to fight anxiety, stress, insomnia, and other ailments, such as natural minerals, vitamins, and herbal remedies like cannabidiol (CBD)—a chemical in the Cannabis sativa plant, also known as marijuana or hemp.

CBD products such as CBD oil have beneficial therapeutic properties that are activated by interacting with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system of the human body. This oil can be very helpful to relieve anxiety or depression and improving mood.

A prescription form of CBD can be used legally to treat anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, seizures disorders (epilepsy), and many other conditions, with the guidance of a healthcare provider. CBD is mostly safe to take in appropriate doses—up to 200 mg daily have been used safely for up to 13 weeks.

CBD does not induce a feeling of being “high,” even large doses. The feeling of being “high” is produced by another chemical component in the Cannabis sativa plant known as THC.

Other natural remedies that can help you relax and combat anxiety and depression include:

• Vitamin supplements - A, C, and E are some of the vitamins people with anxiety lack most. Have more of these vitamins for a month or two. Of course, do this after consulting with your doctor.
• Chamomile, a herb that comes from the daisy-like flowers of the asteraceae plant family - This is another supplement you should try and it is very easy to take. You can consume chamomile in teas, tablets, or other forms without having to worry about anything.
• Magnesium - This is an essential mineral that can help fight anxiety and depression. It is available in tablets and you can take it together with calcium.
• Amino acid combinations - These can also help a lot. Be aware that two amino acids combinations of, say, L-lysine and L-arginine should be the same amount, around 3 grams.
• Omega-3 fatty acid - This is what people commonly call fish oil. It is very “good fat” that are vital for optimal health. Getting them from whole foods — such as fatty fish two times per week and flaxseed — is a great and natural way to boost your body and brain health.

When it comes to mitigating symptoms and causes of insomnia, research suggests CBD can also help fight the underlying causes of bad sleep such as stress and bad mood. Its anti-inflammation property can also relieve physical pain which in some cases affects sleep.

All in all, using natural options like CBD oil and following your doctor’s advice, patients can successfully combat insomnia, anxiety and depression and get back to living our best life.