Stress – it’s a topic that we’re all finally actually talking about and trying to effectively deal with, because all of us face it, in one way or another.
Stress is the brain and body’s reaction to a situation that we deem challenging or demanding. When we feel stress, our bodies experience the ‘fight or flight’ response, which in some situations, for a short period of time, can be essential and therefore beneficial.
However, when you experience long-term stress, your body doesn’t go back to a ‘normal’ state of functioning.
Long-term stress affects the immune system, the digestive system, the heart, quality of sleep, and mood, reducing levels of overall health and wellbeing and causing a wide range of potentially life-threatening illnesses.
So, it’s just as important to focus on reducing levels of stress as it is to focus on eating right and exercising often. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to reducing stress levels, there are powerful ingredients you can supplement. So, let’s take a look at 6 of them!
6 Stress Busting Ingredients
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogenic herb that’s been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha is proven to lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, reduce symptoms of depression, and boost mood.
One recent study shows that people who take 300mg of ashwagandha every day for a minimum of 8 weeks experience lower levels of stress and anxiety overall.
Ashwagandha has sleep-inducing properties and promotes deeper sleep, so whilst that’s beneficial to overall health and helps to reduce stress levels further, if you’re taking the supplement alone and not within a greens powder, try to take it in the evening for best results.
Check out these Ashwagandha supplements that are worth considering.
L-Theanine
L-theanine is a type of amino acid found in tea leaves, specifically green tea and black tea leaves, and certain types of mushrooms.
Research has shown that consuming L-theanine reduces stress and anxiety levels in people that are dealing with stressful situations.
L-theanine is a great stress-relieving supplement to take at any time of the day because it creates calmness and promotes relaxation, without being sleep-inducing. It also lowers heart rate and blood pressure which are physical symptoms of stress.
Bacopa
Bacopa is an adaptogenic herb that not only reduces levels of anxiety and stress but actually improves the body’s ability to deal with stress.
Bacopa reduces anxiety and stress by reducing cortisol levels, boosting overall mood, and aiding to create a calm and more relaxed mindset. It also reduces blood pressure which is a physical symptom of stress.
Rhodiola Root
Rhodiola, and more specifically Rhodiola root, is an adaptogen that helps the body deal with stress and fatigue.
Research has found that Rhodiola reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue within 3 days of consuming it daily.
If you’re suffering from work-related stress or exhaustion, Rhodiola is known to help push through burnout.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a herb typically known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and sleep-inducing properties. However, it also reduces levels of stress and anxiety.
Research has shown that taking Ginkgo biloba regularly reduces anxiety, fatigue, and stress levels significantly. It also boosts mood and improves cognitive function.
Of course, it also promotes calmness and relaxation, as well as increasing sleep quality, which is all beneficial when fighting stress.
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B complex is an essential vitamin that should be getting consumed every day, through means of food or supplement. If you don’t consume vitamin B complex per day, not only will the overall wellbeing of the body decrease, but stress levels will increase.
Vitamin B boosts energy levels, improves mood, improves cognitive function, and reduces fatigue.
Research has shown that supplementing with vitamin B, particularly vitamin B6, can reduce stress and anxiety levels significantly.
Lifestyle Tips To Reduce Stress Levels…
As well as taking stress-relieving supplements, you can change your lifestyle, even slightly, and see your stress levels decrease significantly. Here are my three top lifestyle tips for reducing stress!
#1 Reduce Your Screen Time
We spend most of our days connected to our technology, whether that be emails coming in, making phone calls, receiving texts, or using social media.
So, you must switch it all off sometimes! Rather than sitting on the sofa on your phone, take some time to put your device down and connect with your family or yourself. It’s also a good idea to put your blue-light emitting devices down at least one hour before bed for a night of better sleep.
#2 Spend More Time In Nature
There are strong links between spending time in nature and lower cortisol (stress) levels. The sounds of nature can actually reduce blood pressure, and spending time in nature reduces anxiety levels and depression.
So, dedicate time every day to spend some time in nature, whether that be sitting in your garden for half an hour at sunset or taking a stroll in your local park.
#3 Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness, whether that be mediation, journaling, yoga, or breathwork, reduces stress levels significantly.
Research has shown that mindfulness decreases sensitivity to stress, improves stress management, reduces anxiety and depression, and improves resilience. So, carve out some time every day to do at least 10 minutes of some kind of mindful activity.
Ready To Stress Less and Live Better?
It’s not only unhealthy to have high-stress levels constantly, but it’s downright dangerous, so now that you know all about some of the most potent stress-relieving supplements out there, it’s time to make a change!
Whether you’re going to take individual supplements or you’re going to take a super greens powder containing stress-relieving ingredients (the better option as long as you choose a good brand that contains some of these ingredients), just make sure you’re making an effort to reducing your levels of stress daily.
All of the stress-busting ingredients mentioned above are contained in my greens superfood powder called SuperGreen TONIK. Not only are they present in the recommended daily dosages but you get a bunch of other ingredients too that support your immune system, energy levels, cognitive ability, and overall health.
LifeHacker Guy Greens Recommendation
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