The homeopathic system of remedies carries an excellent scope to help a person manage stress. Homeopathic remedies are constitutional remedies that work on a deep psychological level to give the best results in stress management. They help in building stamina to cope with the day-to-day stresses of life. They also help overcome chronic grief that is causing stress. Kali Phos – Top Remedy to Manage Stress Kali Phos for stress is a top-listed remedy used to manage the stress that arises from overstraining of mind at the workplace or home. A constant state of care and worries leading to stress is a guiding feature to use this remedy. It helps to relax the overstrained mind. People needing Kali Phos tend to remain sad, irritable and restless and may be over-sensitive to noise and light. The person also tends to feel weak, fatigued and exhausted from minimal exertion. Indifference to life, a weak memory, and stress headaches are supported well with Kali Phos. Sleeplessness from stress is also supported with this homeopathic remedy. Key indications for using Kali Phos for Stress: Overstrained mind Fatigue Headache and Sleeplessness Ignatia Amara – For Managing Stress due to Grief Ignatia Amara is a well-indicated remedy for managing stress that stems from some grief. For example, the grief over the death of a near or dear one or disappointment in love that leads to stress is supported well with Ignatia. The person needing this remedy has consistently sad thoughts, weeps bitterly and has a desire to be left alone. He/She may also sob and sigh frequently. A changeable mood where the person laughs and weeps in quick succession, indifference to things the person loved in the past, discouragement, mental and physical exhaustion, and dullness of mind and difficulty in comprehension are some other symptoms that may be noted. Such people may also get frightened easily and tend to have restless sleep. Other related symptoms include head heaviness, loss of appetite, constipation and muscle twitches. Key indications for using Ignatia Amara for Stress: Stress from grief Continuous sadness and weeping Mental and physical exhaustion Natrum Mur – For Stress that results in Depression Natrum Mur as a remedy for stress works well in cases where the stress leads to depression. The guiding features to use Natrum Mur are a desire to be alone, aversion to talking and weeping in loneliness. Consolation tends to worsen the condition, and the person develops an aversion to doing any work (whether physical or mental). They are hurried, anxious and hopeless about the future. They also become absent-minded and suffer from weakness of memory. Dullness of mind and difficulty thinking, fluttering of heart and palpitations are other features. Natrum Mur is also useful for support in hair loss resulting from stress and depression. Key indications for using Natrum Mur for Stress: A desire for loneliness Aversion to work Hair loss from stress Other Important Remedies to consider: Arsenic Album – For Stress that Leads to Anxiety Arsenic Album is a remedy for stress that leads to anxiety. Anxiety with extreme restlessness, overthinking with several thoughts crowding the mind, a fear of death, trembling, cold sweat, and facial flushing are the typical symptoms that indicate the need for this remedy. Constriction of the chest and difficulty in breathing may also be present. Anxiety attacks are more prevalent after midnight. Utmost exhaustion is present in a majority of the cases. Aconitum Napellus – For Managing Acute Stress with Panic Attacks Aconitum Napellus is a natural remedy prepared from a plant named ‘monkshood.’ As a remedy for stress, Aconitum Napellus is used to manage acute stress (of great intensity) with panic attacks. Extreme anxiety with restlessness and hurriedness along with intense palpitations are the main symptoms. A fear of death may also be present. Coffea Cruda – For Managing Sleeplessness from Stress Coffea Cruda is a remedy used to support sleeplessness that develops due to stress. Excessive thoughts flow through the mind constantly and lead to sleeplessness. Palpitations may be present, and the person tosses about in the bed from side to side. Nervousness, restlessness, excessive weeping and lamenting over trifles, oversensitivity, and irritability are the main symptoms that indicate the need for Coffea Cruda. Nux Vomica – For Stress with Irritability and Anger Outbursts Nux Vomica is a prominent remedy indicated for stress accompanied by irritability and anger outbursts. Nux Vomica is suitable when the person is stressed and tends to get easily angered or irritable, get offended easily, and are quarrelsome. Oversensitivity to light, noise, smell, and anxiety about small things, sleeplessness, and gastric troubles may also be present. An inclination to take drugs or excessive alcohol may be seen among individuals requiring Nux Vomica. Aurum Met – For Stress causing Pessimism Aurum Met is indicated remedy for stress in people who have pessimistic thinking about life. The person needing Aurum Met is always unhappy and thinks life is a burden. He/She develops a weariness towards life and feels hopeless. Suicidal thoughts, a longing for death, anger from contradictions, palpitations with sleepiness, and fatigue of the limbs are other symptoms. Classification of Stress Stress can be divided into three types – acute stress, episodic acute stress, and chronic stress. Acute stress It is short-term stress and is also the most common type of stress. In acute stress, the body immediately reacts to a new challenge or an event. For example, giving a speech to a group of people, an argument with someone, or being stuck in a traffic jam can trigger acute stress. The symptoms of acute stress include increased heart rate, anxiety, shortness of breath, palpitation of the heart, increased sweat, tension headache and tensed muscles in the neck and back. Episodic Acute Stress Episodic acute stress is the condition where acute stress occurs on a very frequent basis. Anxious personalities and people who tend to think negatively most of the time are at an increased risk to suffer from episodic acute stress. The symptoms of episodic acute stress include tension headaches, migraines, depression, chronic fatigue, hypertension, and irritability. Chronic Stress The stress that is persistent and lasts for a long time is known as chronic stress. Chronic stress occurs due to a variety of reasons, like unhealthy relationships, poverty, unsatisfactory job/career. Persons with chronic stress are at a high risk to develop other conditions. Stress Management Apart from homeopathy, the following tips can help manage stress: Adopting relaxing techniques like yoga and meditation Taking a healthy diet including fresh fruits, vegetables, and omega-three fatty acids Doing regular exercise, getting outside into nature. Getting enough sleep, try to aim for a minimum of 7 hours Avoiding taking alcohol, drugs, and tobacco Cutting down the amount of sugar and caffeine intake Deep breathing exercises Maintaining a positive attitude towards life Taking time to cultivate some relaxing hobbies Homeopathy offers support in restoring our body’s balance, health, and vitality on mental, emotional, and physical levels. It’s important you seek professional advice from a qualified registered homeopath or your GP to ensure you are receiving the best possible treatment for all that you are experiencing.