STRESS - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Updated: 2 days ago
Managing stress is key to creating balance in the gut and keeping the immune system strong. Proper sleep is vital too. I hope these ideas help you manage stress better.
Leaning on things like CBD has helped me, but there are many options besides taking something. There are a variety of natural options, from supplements to coping tools. I've included ideas from my own experience, research and polls in our groups.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
Buy links are right under each product. Sign up here first for the Fullscript discount (25% off):
WHY STRESS MATTERS WITH LYME
- Many people hold stress in their bodies, like tension in the belly, which can affect both the gut and the brain.
- Stress is a trigger for my MCAS, so managing it is a big part of my own plan.
- Managing stress helps, but Lyme is not "all in your head." Johns Hopkins shared research in 2025 showing about 14% of people treated early with standard antibiotics still develop lasting symptoms.
CHECK THE BASICS FIRST
- Sleep: poor sleep and stress feed each other. My sleep solutions post has ideas:
- Stress and anxiety go hand in hand, so be sure to look at my anxiety solution ideas too:
SUPPORTIVE PRACTICES
- Breathing exercises:
- Meditation:
- My favorite meditation:
- Breathe in, then breathe out and let your shoulders drop. It's a quick way to notice tension you didn't even know you were holding.
- Release tension: notice where you hold it, like your belly, and let it go on purpose. Belly breathing can be done anywhere. Before sleep, rest a hand on your upper belly and let it soften.
- Gentle movement like yoga, tai chi or qigong. A small 2022 Columbia University study found Kundalini yoga lowered overall symptom burden and thinking and memory concerns in people with post-treatment Lyme. Larger studies are still needed.
- A little morning sunlight, deep breathing and changing how you look at stressful situations.
- Primal Trust and centering or grounding meditation
IDEAS TO CONSIDER: SUPPLEMENTS
Studied for stress:
- Ashwagandha: lowered cortisol and stress in a 2025 review of 15 studies
- Holy basil: lowered stress compared to placebo in a 2022 study
- Rhodiola: an adaptogen reviewed for stress-related fatigue; more large studies are needed
- L-theanine: may help lower stress in people under stressful conditions, per a 2020 review
- Magnesium: studied for mild anxiety and sleep
BEFORE YOU START
Herbs and supplements can interact with medications and with each other. Please talk with your doctor before adding anything, and add one thing at a time so you know what helps.
MY EXPERIENCE
Things I've used in the past and present, depending on what I'm facing in my life at the time:
- CBD: Miriam's Hope has been one of my main CBD sources for years, because my doctor recommended it for purity. I also use gummies I find locally.
- CalmZyme, a blend with valerian and hops
Buy here (Transformation Enzymes CalmZyme: hops, skullcap, valerian, wild lettuce and digestive enzymes):
- Magnesium threonate and L-theanine
Buy here (XYMOGEN OptiMag Neuro: magnesium L-threonate powder):
Buy here (Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate):
Buy here (Integrative Therapeutics L-Theanine):
- Glycine, with inositol powder added
Buy here (Designs for Health Glycine Powder):
Buy here (Vital Nutrients Inositol Powder):
- Lithium orotate, a low dose (not prescription lithium)
Buy here (Vital Nutrients Lithium Orotate 5 mg):
- Adreno Distress Guard by PERQUE: rhodiola, Relora (magnolia and phellodendron) and perilla oil
Buy here (PERQUE Adreno Distress Guard: Relora from magnolia and phellodendron, rhodiola, turmeric and perilla oil):
- Perilla
Buy here (Pure Encapsulations Perilla Extract):
What works is different for everyone, so it's good to have lots of options.
RELATED POSTS
DEPRESSION / ANXIETY EDUCATION
CALMING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM - MY ADVICE
ADRENAL FATIGUE
SOURCES
LymeDisease.org, Releasing stress and tension (2019, older source, still worth reading)
Johns Hopkins, Lyme is not "all in your head" (2025)
Penn State Health, Deep breathing (2024)
Columbia University, Kundalini yoga study (2022)
Bachour and others, Ashwagandha review (2025)
Lopresti and others, Holy basil study (2022)
Ivanova Stojcheva and others, Rhodiola review (2022)
Williams and others, L-theanine review (2020, older source, still worth reading)
Rawji and others, Magnesium review (2024)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
Comments