A Mother’s Lot!
The struggles of parents – and mothers, in particular – have been very apparent during this pandemic with childcare, home-schooling and housework, as well as many having to work from home, therefore it is inevitable that mums feel overwhelmed, alone and stressed.
As a result home has become a pressure pot rather than a haven for several mothers where there is no space or privacy and bored kids going stir crazy from too much screen time.
An increase in mood-enhancing products
Consequently mood and emotional wellbeing has become as important as physical wellbeing. Many brands have begun innovating food and drink products that contribute to feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, mood enhancement and calming, providing natural ways to mitigate regular feelings of stress and boost your mood.
The patent publication trend reported by Mintel shows a marked increase over recent years for mood-enhancing food and drinks. With increasing research showing the link between less sleep and increased stress on mood, innovators have started exploring food and drink ingredients that help to improve sleep and reduce stress.
Our top ten
With women making up 42% of the Lionel Hitchen workforce and a number of them being mothers, we are only too aware of the benefits natural ingredients provide. In the spirit of celebrating Mother’s Day, I spoke to several mothers within Lionel Hitchen to find out what their go-to botanical, herb and spice ingredients are for reducing stress.
1.Chamomile – One of the most popular herbs, often drunk in tea, well known for its calming and sleep-inducing effects.
2.Rose – A traditional floral fragrance of which the scent alone can help relaxation, uplifting your mood and relieving anxiety.
3. Lavender – A classic fragrance, known to help ease anxiety, promote relaxation, and calm the mind before bed.
4. Rosemary – Known not only for its taste but also its smell. The aroma of rosemary has been linked to improving mood, clearing the mind, and relieving stress.
5. Lemon – Full of vitamin C, keeping the immune system strong and helping manage stress. Lemons are full of potassium, good for the heart, brain and nerve functions and even the smell of lemons has a calming effect on your nervous system.
6. Ginger – Found to sharpen cognitive function and influence serotonin levels, a great morning shot!
7. Turmeric – This bright orange spice boasts several health-promoting properties, one of them being Curcumin, which has been linked to treating anxiety and depression
8. Valerian root – often referred to as “nature’s Valium.” In fact, this herb has been used since ancient times to promote tranquillity and improve sleep.
9. Peppermint – While peppermint tea is often drunk for its flavour, it may also have several health benefits. Research has shown that it can improve energy levels and reduce daytime fatigue.
10. Juniper – And let’s not forget the juniper berry most popular in gin!
Here’s hoping that despite lockdown and social distancing guidelines still in place, your day is as relaxing and stress-free as possible.
References:
- https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/14861
- Mintel: Patent insights: get a ‘mood boost’ via food and drink
- https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/best-essential-oils-for-sleep#our-picks
- https://www.greenmatters.com/p/herbs-spices-calming
- https://gardentherapy.ca/healing-benefits-of-rose
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/drinks-for-stress-anxiety#turmeric
- https://www.flushinghospital.org/newsletter/the-health-benefits-of-rosemary/
