After a long day, our nervous system may feel strained and crave some rest. Occasional stress stands in the way of the calm you need for your nervous system. But the good news is you can easily calm down your nervous system by including calming nutrients in your diet. Some supplements, nutrients, and minerals play a significant role in helping support your relaxation efforts. Have you struggled to fall asleep or decompress after a challenging day? That is probably a sign that your nervous system is strained and needs rest. You need not worry anymore because we have got a solution for you. To guide you, we have prepared research on anti-stress supplements, nutrients, and minerals that will significantly help relax your nervous system. Supplements/Nutrients/Minerals That Calm Down the Nervous System Magnesium You probably have heard of magnesium's significant role in supporting your body's muscles and energy production. But did you know it also plays an essential role in your nerve function? Magnesium is a "calming mineral" that helps your mind and muscles relax. It greatly helps support the regulation of the sleep hormone melatonin, which in return helps direct your body's sleep-wake cycles. Magnesium optimizes melatonin secretion, making it easy for you to get sleepy at the end of the day and feel rested when you wake up. Magnesium further helps support feelings of calm and rest by binding with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to facilitate sleeping mode in the body. GABA turns down your nervous system activity to help your body settle down and rest. Some of the great sources of magnesium you can consider adding to your diet include; spinach, avocado, whole wheat, almonds and cashews, dark chocolate, peanuts, quinoa, and black beans. B Vitamins Eight different B vitamins work together to manage many processes in the body, including stress levels. Your brain is responsible for helping your body rest. It contains neurotransmitters that alert your body when it's time to wind down. B vitamins significantly help maintain the production of the neurotransmitters that put your mind at ease. Some dietary sources of B vitamins include; milk, salmon, legumes, eggs, spinach, and romaine lettuce. You can consider adding B vitamins into your diet to optimize your mental health and feel at peace. Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids are a nutrient that directly benefits the nervous system and brain health. A good intake of omega-3 fats helps reduce the risk of anxiety and depression. Omega-3 fats are present in fish and flaxseed. You can also use an omega-3 supplement like fish oil to help ease stress. L-Theanine L-Theanine is an amino acid reported to have a significant calming effect on the body. It helps reduce resting heart rate and lowers blood pressure when facing a stressful situation. It significantly helps reduce anxiety without making you tired. L-theanine is present in green and black tea. You can also take an L-theanine supplement capsule to help reduce stress. Zinc Zinc is a mineral that is well-known for stress modulation. It promotes calmness and rest by helping your brain keep occasional stress under control. Ensure your nutritional diet is rich in zinc by incorporating grains, animal proteins, and legumes. Different supplements, nutrients, and minerals can help calm your nervous system. Consider including them in your dietary plan. If you need professional guidance on any natural supplement, nutrients and minerals that calm down the nervous system, you may consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC.