Writers won’t be needed to be convinced of the reality of writer’s block, but some of us may be equally aware of having difficulty writing while stressed, or having difficulty writing while anxious. Some people deal with this kind of mental adversity better than others, and those that do won’t likely have any difficulty keeping the keys clicking. But for those who are predisposed to be genuinely rattled by stress or anxiety, it can put the brakes on our creativity, or more simply to be steady-handed at your keyboard.
So what do we do to bring relief from the symptoms? Natural supplement alternatives are often equally effective and come without all the negatives.
So let’s get right to it for those of you who don’t have a naturopath in the family, or more simply just don’t know where to begin with natural supplements for relieving stress and anxiety for writers.
- A Quality B Complex Vitamin (or Stress B Complex specifically)
We start with this one because it’s such a far-reaching and versatile supplement choice for your stress and anxiety. Taking quality Stress B-Complex supplement can go a long way in keeping stress and anxiety at bay.
B vitamins are key in facilitating a number of neurotransmitter processes that dictate interaction between the brain and body. A deficiency in any of the B vitamins can promote troubling mental conditions, including the stress and anxiety we’re talking about here. Let’s discuss the biology of the issue briefly. The role of B vitamins in mental state is related to your adrenal glands. Healthy adrenal glands help you manage stress effectively.
- L-Theanine
L-Theanine is a powerful amino acid that comes naturally from green tea plant (camellia sinensis) and promotes a more restful, relaxed state but with no less levels of mental alertness, and so it gives you the benefit of being able to slow your mind and quite obsessing on the negative thoughts and stay sufficiently more positive and focused on your task (writing!)
L-Theanine boosts GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) and glycine levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters are effective for lessening stress signals in the brain, and get that organ up there on board with your belief that ‘it’s not that big a deal.’ It’s also very good for promoting better sleep, which of course also goes a long way to making you less susceptible to stress and anxiety.
Feeling stressed and anxious? an L-Theanine is also a good choice for letting you keep going with your composing!
- BioFolate
You’ve likely all heard of Folic Acid, and many of you may already including it in your health supplement regimen. Let’s get this clear, the supplement I am recommending here is BioFolate, NOT Folic Acid. There’s a big difference between the two, with BioFolate being an active form of folate that is absorbed and distributed differently by the body. Consuming added folate is typically associated with regulating mood (for depressive episodes etc) but it’s also effective for minimizing your mind’s receptiveness to stress.
The effectiveness of BioFolate isn’t as direct as that of a Stress B Complex. Rather, it’s in more of a roundabout way that it’s effective for relieving stress and anxiety. That’s because it’s directly effective for the regulation of mood, sleep, appetite, drive, and concentration.
And the last part of those positives is concentration, which is more than likely your principal complaint here – that you can’t focus on your writing!
These are 3 of the most potent supplement choices for relieving stress and anxiety, but there are others as well so how about we wrap this article up with an honourable mention list:
- Magnesium Chelate (NOT magnesium citrate, which is the type you’ll find most commonly at the drug store)
- L-Lysine
- Valerian Root
- Ashwagandha
Keep those keys clicking and say no to stress and anxiety!