It’s the most wonderful time of year, right? Not exactly! Despite all that magic and joy, the Holiday Season can be an incredibly stressful time for many people — and that’s been true for the past couple of years, including 2023! In fact, according to a recent Healthline poll, more than 60% of people admitted that this time of year packs on quite a bit of anxiety. But why is that?
Part of it is obvious: there’s a lot of pressure to make the holidays special for everyone, which can sometimes be nerve-wracking and stir up tons of worries. What if they don’t like the gift I got them? What if I burn the roast? What’s going to happen if I accidentally put my foot in my mouth and cause family drama? In recent years, these fears have been compounded with economic uncertainties, social changes, and the ongoing pandemic, affecting many aspects of people’s lives.
One thing about Anxiety, though — it often brings its best pal Depression along for the ride, especially when the holidays roll around! People can quickly get homesick and miss loved ones living far away, or find themselves reflecting on another ending year. For 2023, many folks might still be adjusting to changes in travel plans, exacerbating a feeling of loneliness that makes depression and anxiety feel suffocating, leading to mood swings, insomnia, and other symptoms that get in the way of quality of life.
So, what’s the solution to our stressful blues during the happiest season of all? Luckily, there are quite a few ways to hack our minds and bodies into feeling great no matter what’s going on in our lives. One way to do this is with naturally occurring amino acids L-Theanine, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).
The first item on that list, L-Theanine, is often found abundantly in green tea leaves and is thought to promote a sense of calm and relaxation without making you sleepy, stimulating healthy cellular function to decrease anxiety. On the other hand, GABA is a neurotransmitter that facilitates the exchange of information between brain cells, making it a critical component of a healthy nervous system, which may offset stress symptoms. And 5-HTP? This one helps our bodies produce serotonin — which is associated with decreased anxiety, depression, and improved sleep.
There are other components that help alleviate stress and depression, though! Melatonin is a hormone that’s naturally made in the human body by the pineal gland to help regulate our circadian rhythms — or our natural sleeping and waking cycles. Adding it to your bedtime routine in supplement form can help those suffering from insomnia fall asleep faster. Glutathione is an antioxidant that’s critical for detoxification processes, which help eliminate toxins for a more robust immune system and better health. Finally, there’s everyone’s pal cannabidiol (CBD) — pretty famous these days for being one of the hundreds of chemical compounds derived from cannabis. Studies show that when used correctly, CBD can ease anxiety, inflammation, and even promote restful sleep. Worried about getting high? Fret not! The psychoactive component of marijuana is called THC, and it’s not mutually exclusive with CBD — meaning you won’t feel any of those fuzzy brain effects when taking this popular supplement.
Are you ready to ease your anxieties this holiday season and truly make it the most wonderful time of the year? Getting started with these options can be confusing at first, but luckily there are professionals ready to assist with finding the right one for your needs! Contact us at R3 Health today for expert help from one of our specialists.
