With a mix of work deadlines, a pandemic, and personal life issues, it seems like it's almost the “norm'' to be stressed. This often leads people to seek out ways to cope. Maybe things like meditation, exercise, or yoga help you. However, it can become easy to rely on not so helpful coping tools like drinking, smoking or even excessive caffeine intake to manage stress.
What if there was another effective way to help your body adapt to stress? And all it took was a minute each day to add in?
Enter adaptogens. Adaptogens are natural herbs and mushrooms that can help your central nervous system manage both physical and biological stress.
Adaptogens help to keep your body in a relaxed state instead of constant stress, which often leads to burnout. This is important because chronic stress can lead to sleep disruption, digestive issues, reduced immune function, high blood pressure and other health issues.
The cool thing about adaptogens is that you can take them for various functional benefits, so whatever you’re struggling with, there's likely an adaptogen to assist!
Here are some common ones:
● Ashwagandha may help with fatigue and to alleviate stress
● Rhodiola may increase energy, stamina and mental capacity
● Holy basil may protect against infection
● Lemon balm helps to reduce anxiety and promote calmness
● Eleuthero root helps with focus and mental alertness
● Astragalus root may support immune function and liver health
● Licorice root helps with decreasing stress
● Codonopsis root increases energy and immune function
● Dong quai root can reduce menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms
● Reishi may help relieve anxiety, depression and burnout
Adaptogens are generally safe to consume and often come in powder, tea or capsule form. Taking a high quality supplement is often the easiest way to reap the benefits.
For stress management, I’d recommend the Stress Remedy Blend from Pure Synergy, which has ashwagandha as the main ingredient. This adaptogen is most recognizable for its stress relieving properties.
For overall wellness, I recommend the Pure Synergy Superfood Blend as it provides a convenient way to get a variety of adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms alongside tons of other superfoods. All you have to do is mix 1 tbsp of the powder into water. You can also add it to your smoothies.
Tell me in the comments if you have ever tried adaptogens?