It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do daily, stress and anxiety will find you one way or another. It’s a normal, unavoidable part of life that no one’s exempt from. Some people try to hide it, while other people try to fight it, but we’re all in the same boat at the end of the day.
What many people don’t know is that your diet, exercise routine, habits, and daily decisions have an enormous impact on your ability to manage and overcome these stressful and anxious situations. In fact, there are a variety of natural herbs and remedies that can help tremendously.
If you’re someone who’s looking for new and exciting ways to deal with daily stress and anxiety, we can help. Of course, this stress should never impede on your ability to live a normal life. In the event your stress is overwhelming, you should seek a therapist or psychologist immediately.
So, what natural supplements relieve stress and anxiety? Well, one good example is Gotu kola supplement, which reduces anxiety and also improves cognitive function.
When searching for a natural supplement that relieves stress and anxiety, you’ll want to search for something called adaptogens. These are known as natural herbal medicines that help the body resist, respond, and adapt to the stress and anxiety we encounter on a day-to-day basis.
There are a wide variety of adaptogens known today, but some are more popular and effective than others. Below, we’re going to detail five of the most prominent adaptogens that each come with a wide amount of scientific evidence behind them. Without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Rhodiola Rosea
Known by its scientific name Rhodiola Rosea, this plant is found in the cold, mountainous parts of both Asia and Europe. It has been used in herbal medicine for hundreds of years thanks to the over 140 active ingredients — including rosavin and salidroside — found in the plant’s roots.
Some of the research-backed evidence has found that Rhodiola Rosea can help reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue, exhaustion, burnout, and other depression-related symptoms in the body. Some studies have also suggested it to help improve brain function and exercise performance.
You can find Rhodiola Rosea in a variety of herbal supplements today. If you’d like to add it to your daily diet, you should look for a supplement that carries a USP or NSF seal. It should also contain 3% rosavins and 1% salidrosides. A healthy dosage would be 200-600mg per day.
2. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is yet another well-known adaptogen commonly used today. In fact, it’s more popular than Rhodiola Rosea and is known as an ancient medicinal herb. It was and still is a staple in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, which has been around for thousands of years.
Known by its scientific name Withania somnifera, Ashwagandha has a long list of benefits. Not only can it help reduce stress and cortisol levels, but it can increase energy, reduce blood sugar, improve concentration, reduce inflammation, and increase muscle mass and strength.
Commonly found in supplement form, Ashwagandha is generally regarded as safe for most individuals. You should search for a standardized root extract that doesn’t exceed 500mg per serving — though you can take that serving up to twice per day, if needed for daily support.
3. L-Theanine
L-Theanine isn’t an herb or plant, though it’s found in some. It’s rather a non-essential amino acid that’s found in green and black tea, as well as some mushrooms. While it’s not produced by the body naturally, it can have a variety of positive effects on the human body when consumed.
Some of the benefits of L-Theanine are that it helps relieve stress and anxiety, improves focus and concentration, reduces fatigue, improves the immune system because it’s rich in antioxidants, reduces inflammation, and reduces blood sugar during stressful situations.
One of the most useful occurrences of L-Theanine is when combined with caffeine — which is the case in green or black tea. At a dosage of 200-400mg per day, it can effectively help reduce the jitters, crash, and sudden fatigue we often experience when consuming caffeinated drinks.
4. Functional Mushrooms
When most people think of mushrooms, they immediately imagine the portobello and button mushrooms we often see in the grocery store. What many people don’t know is there are thousands of different types of mushrooms and some of them have adaptogenic properties.
The most beneficial mushrooms known to man are called functional mushrooms — also known as medicinal mushrooms. There are only about a dozen different species of mushroom that fall in this category. They won’t cause you to hallucinate, but they do have other impactful benefits.
The most important benefit they all share in common is their effect on the immune system. Outside of that, some of the most common for stress and anxiety relief are Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, and Chaga mushrooms. You can either supplement with them or eat them daily.
5. Melatonin
The final natural supplement we’ll discuss with you is melatonin. You might’ve heard of this before because it’s a hormone your body produces all by itself. It’s sometimes called the sleep hormone because it’s what helps regulate your circadian rhythm when sleeping or waking up.
The body starts to produce this hormone in the pineal gland when exposed to darkness. That’s why we often feel tired or exhausted at night. It also stops producing it when it’s light out, which is why we often wake up when the sun comes up. Without it, our sleep patterns would be off.
Though your body produces it on its own, you can also supplement with it. While it won’t directly help you relieve stress and anxiety, it will improve your sleep on a nightly basis. Of course, sleep is extremely important to your mental health and your ability to overcome daily stress.
Don’t Let Stress and Anxiety Control Your Life
Stress and anxiety are a normal part of everyday life, but that doesn’t mean they should overwhelm you or take control of your life. In addition to the supplements listed above, maintaining a healthy and balanced daily diet — as well as a regular exercise routine — can help tremendously.
In the event your stress and anxiety levels are too much to handle, it might be time to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional. For additional advice on that, don’t hesitate to reach out to our good friends over at BetterHelp. They can help you find the right assistance.
If you’re interested in learning more about how your daily habits can have a positive impact on your life, feel free to head over to our Daily RX blog. We have a ton of tips and advice to help you better take control of your life and achieve all the things you ever dreamed of!
