Stress is part of life, and these days it feels more prevalent than ever. While stress can be manifested in a bad way, on some occasions, stress can be beneficial for our well-being because it forces us to adapt to be a stronger person.
However, if we fail to manage our stress properly, stress can get the best of us and can lead us to the downward spiral of fatigue, lack of energy, irritability, and in large or extreme cases, depression and anxiety.
Hence, we must learn how to manage our stress well. This is especially true as many of us live in a fast-paced world – job, money, family, and material possessions constitute some of our life’s common stressors.
Some of the things we can do to manage our stress or be able to better handle stress includes keeping a healthy body, eating a proper diet, getting as much enough sleep as possible, and time management to avoid procrastination, which often leads to added stress.
Aside from the ones above, nutrition also plays a key role in helping you deal with stress better. In this article, we are going to share some of the best vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can help you manage your daily stresses better.
To begin, we will answer the question, what are supplements for stress, and how do they help you? In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know before choosing a supplement, including what the best supplements for stress really are. Let’s get started!
What Are The Best Supplements For Dealing With Stress?
1) Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that is largely known for its benefits to our muscles and nerves. However, magnesium is also beneficial when it comes to handling stress.
Aside from its benefits to our muscles and nerves, magnesium also promotes relaxation and stress relief. It also works well alongside melatonin, also known as the “sleep hormone.”
Also, some research shows that magnesium can affect regulating our stress response. Other research even indicates that magnesium can be a useful component when treating depression.
2) Melatonin
As mentioned earlier, melatonin is known as the “sleep hormone” because it is the hormone that regulates our sleep cycles.
So, how can melatonin help us in dealing with stress? Since melatonin promotes proper sleep patterns and sleep and mood are closely related to one another, it makes sense that melatonin can help you manage stress by helping you sleep better at night.
One of the reasons why many people are stressed out today (than they should be) is because of sleep deprivation. When you lack sleep, your mind and body will not work at its best; hence things seem to become stressful than they are. For instance, because our mood is low due to lack of sleep, simple things can easily irritate us.
What’s worse? Stress can further our sleep deprivation, so this will be a vicious cycle if left unchecked.
Melatonin can help you promote a healthy sleep pattern, hence giving your body the sleep it needs. Add it with magnesium, which positively affects melatonin, and you’ll get the benefits of both.
3) Vitamin B-Complex
Vitamin B-complex is a powerful set of vitamins – which are, of course, the B vitamins. This set of vitamins are known to deliver different health benefits and essentials for our body.
B vitamins, among their numerous benefits, can help you improve your mood, which in turn will help you manage your stress better.
While B vitamins are abundant in many food sources, some B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, are mainly abundant in animal sources. So, if you are a vegetarian or vegan, consider taking supplements in addition to your diet.
4) Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogenic herb that is known for its health benefits as far back as thousands of years ago. It is mainly thought to increase your physical and mental resilience, hence making you tougher and stronger against stress.
Modern research seems to support this thought. For instance, in one research study, those who took ashwagandha extract (in contrast to those who took a placebo) resulted in a greater reduction of stress, depression, and anxiety.
On a hormonal level, ashwagandha is also linked to the reduction of cortisol levels, a stress hormone, during mornings.
5) Valerian Root
Valerian root is a herb that is commonly used for treating anxiety, insomnia, and stress. According to research, Valerian root can help reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and feelings of pressure when you are under stress conditions.
This can be taken before bed or during the day for the best outcome.
How To Take Stress Supplements
Aside from getting these vitamins, minerals, and nutrients through your diet, you can also get them through synthetic supplementation, such as dietary supplements.
Most dietary stress supplements come in pill or capsule form, the most common form of dietary supplements.
However, because some people cannot take pill supplements for certain reasons, liquid supplements are becoming popular in the market as well, though pill forms remain popular compared to its liquid counterpart.
Aside from not being able to properly consume pills, another reason why people take a liquid supplement is that liquid supplements are said to help your body absorb the nutrients than if you take pills or capsules.
Regardless of what form you take your supplement in, always take note of the proper dosage and never go beyond them to avoid side effects.
Do Supplements For Stress Work?
Stress supplements do work as long as they provide the essential nutrients which they promote. This is why it is important to check the label before purchasing your supplement to make sure that you are getting the right amount of the nutrient you intend to supplement yourself on.
Also, never fall on exaggerated claims as they are often a red flag of a false supplement. Before you buy the supplement, search for trusted reviews as they often explain the science behind how certain supplements work. This will help you understand and know what to look for in a supplement, making you wiser when buying supplements.
And of course, a trusted review will usually point to which supplement you should try and which ones to avoid, helping you decide better on which supplement to try.
So, yes, stress supplements (as with most supplements) generally work. However, it will take a little digging before finding supplements that will work for you.
Are Stress Supplements Right For You?
Stress supplements generally work well with the average person. If you are pregnant, nursing, or is undergoing a certain medical condition, consult your doctor to make sure you avoid any unexpected side effects.
If you are experiencing side effects, lower your dosage, or stop the intake altogether.
Best Supplements For Stress
Gaia Herbs Stress Response
These stress response capsules promote optimal wellness by giving you the daily support you need. With Wild Oats grown on Gaia’s own certified organic herb farm, plus Ashwagandha and Holy Basil, this combination is perfect for anyone that needs to lower cortisol levels.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON GAIA HERBS STRESS RESPONSERae Destress Dietary Supplement
This stress supplement is made with L-Tyrosine, Rhodiola Rosea Root, and GABA to help support healthy stress levels. L-Tyrosine supports mental processes and cognition, Rhodiola Rosea Root is a natural way to calm and support mood, and GABA helps support a balanced mood and promote calmness.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON RAE DESTRESSOlly Goodbye Stress
From the same creators who brought you Olly Sleep Gummies, comes Olly Goodbye Stress. These gummies are perfect for any consumer that does not want to take pills. An expert blend of GABA, L-Theanine, and Lemon Balm, this supplement provides stress relief and facilitates feelings of calm.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON OLLY GOODBYE STRESSHum Big Chill
Hum designed Big Chill from the herb Rhodiola, found in the highest altitudes and coldest areas of Europe and Asia. It is known to increase the body’s capacity to adapt to stressful conditions. Hum is well known in the supplement industry with many other products, including Hum Daily Cleanse, Hum Red Carpet, and Hum Hair Sweet Hair, among others. While this supplement may be a bit pricier than the others, it does offer great benefits.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON HUM BIG CHILLStress Supplement Alternatives
Like many supplements, the main alternative to hair loss supplements is consuming vitamins and minerals that promote lower stress levels. As we mentioned above, some vitamins that are great for stress include Magnesium, Melatonin, B-Complex, Valerian root, and Ashwagandha
If you prefer not to take a supplement marketed as an overall “stress” supplement, then your best bet is to take the above vitamins. They all promote healthy stress levels, and might even decrease overall anxiety.
Conclusions: Supplements For Stress And Your Health
If you are thinking about adding stress supplements to your diet, now is a great time to try it out. Stress supplements are easy and safe supplements to test that carry a variety of benefits with it. If you start taking stress supplements, and experience any negative symptoms, contact a medical professional for help.
