In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, stress has become an inevitable part of our daily lives. Whether it’s due to work pressure, family responsibilities, or personal issues, stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health, leaving us feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. While there are several ways to manage stress, taking vitamins and supplements can be a simple yet effective solution.
Vitamins and supplements play a crucial role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. They can boost our immune system, improve our mood, and provide us with the necessary nutrients to combat stress. However, with so many options available in the market, it can be challenging to choose the right ones.
In this blog, we’ll discuss which vitamins and supplements are most effective in managing stress. We’ll explore their benefits, dosages, and how they work to keep us calm and relaxed. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of which vitamins and supplements to include in your daily routine to live your best life and manage stress effectively.
These 4 herbal supplements are nature’s stress remedies
While stress may be more common these days, it has affected people for thousands of years. In ancient times, people used herbal therapies celebrated in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda to help manage stress. Consider yourself a skeptic? Rest assured that recent clinical studies are lending credibility to long-held beliefs regarding the impact of herbal medicines.
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has a storied history in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The entire plant, from roots to seeds, has beneficial properties, especially when it comes to relieving occasional stress.
The benefits of Ashwagandha are wide ranging, but it’s a superstar when it comes to getting people to feel less stressed. One particularly interesting study from 2017 showed a 44% reduction in stress levels after taking Ashwagandha, as opposed to just a 5.5% decrease in the group taking a placebo. A randomized 2012 clinical trial showed similarly impressive levels of stress reduction after just 60 days.
2. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a plant native to the arctic regions of Asia and Europe which has a rich history of medical usage dating all the way back to 77 C.E. This plant, also known as Golden Root, is used for energy enhancement, to improve mood, and most critically, to manage stress.
In a 2009, double-blind study, Rhodiola was shown to reduce stress, and increase alertness in doctors on night shifts. Working the night shift is notoriously stressful, so anything that can help those folks should be able to help others, as well.
The most extensively studied property of Rhodiola is its ability to help people deal with fatigue. Since exhaustion often contributes to stress, anything that reduces fatigue can help in the battle against stress.
3. Valerian Root
The name might sound odd, but valerian is a perennial plant native to Europe. The name comes from the Latin word “valere” which means well-being. Valerian has been used to help with occasional stress, tension, and sleep disturbances since the second century A.D. There is encouraging evidence that supplementing with valerian root can reduce stress.
Valerian root is well-known for supporting quality sleep.. This is largely due to its calming effect. The best part?
Because lack of sleep is a trigger for stress, one of the best things you can do to improve your stress levels is get a good night’s rest. If valerian root helps, it can be a potent, tool in your de-stressing toolkit.
4. Bacopa
Bacopa is a perennial herb that has proven stress-reducing benefits as an adaptogen. It’s been used as part of Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to enhance learning, boost memory, sharpen focus, lower stress, and improve mood.
In a 2011 study using animals as subjects, Bacopa was actually shown to increase the length of the brain’s nerves, which may result in speeding up communication between these nerves.
Modern research has also focused on Bacopa’s remarkable ability to relieve stress associated with multitasking, which it may achieve partly by managing cortisol levels in the blood. Cortisol is a stimulating stress hormone, so maintaining healthy levels can have a powerful relaxation effect. Participants also reported a boost in overall well-being.
