Stress Supplements

So much has been said about stress in the past few years. You can’t watch TV or go on the internet without seeing an ad for a new and revolutionary way to beat stress.

One of the most unique options? A stress supplement.

But do any of these products actually work? And are they safe?

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular stress supplements on the market and explore whether or not they’re worth your money.

How Do We Overcome Stress?

We all live with a low lying level of mental stress. While our stress levels might vary on a day-to-day basis, there are all kinds of reasons why you might suffer from chronic stress (the dangerous kind).

Whether you’ve lost a job or had a health scare – or you simply can’t fall asleep because you’re worried about the state of the world – chronic stress has dangerous health implications.

Elevated stress hormones – namely, cortisol – can reduce our immunity, increase inflammation, and put us at an increased risk of the following:

• Anxiety
• Poor brain health
• Heart disease
  High blood pressure
• Sleep problems
• Mood disturbances
• Headaches
• Stroke

…and much more.

When we’re stressed, we just aren’t as healthy. So how can you reduce stress in a more natural way?

There are all kinds of strategies you can rely on to reduce stress levels and lower your risk of all the health issues listed above.

For example, you might want to try to eat a healthy diet, get more sleep, and exercise regularly. Even spending time with family and friends can help reduce stress.

One more way to relieve stress that you may not have thought about is to take a stress supplement.

Dietary supplements are well-known for their benefits. Take the right stress supplement and you may see benefits like lowering blood levels of cortisol, reduced anxiety, and fewer depression symptoms.

What is a Stress Supplement?

A stress supplement is an over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplement that is meant to boost your mental health, improve your sleep quality, and most importantly, reduce the amount of the stress hormone cortisol in your body.

Most of these supplements have calming effects and are meant to be taken at night, right before bed.

While you can take individual supplements on their own (such as a magnesium pill) there are many stress supplements that are marketed and sold specifically for their ability to reduce stress.

Do Stress Supplements Actually Work?

The jury is still out on whether stress supplements actually work. Although many of the natural remedies we’ll tell you about below have some solid anecdotal evidence behind them to prove that they work, there’s insufficient evidence to demonstrate that they have lasting effects.

That’s why it’s important to contact a healthcare professional to make sure taking a stress supplement is right for you.

That said, these supplements are, for the most part, completely safe to use for healthy adults. High doses may cause nausea or other unpleasant side effects. Some may interact with other medications so it’s important, again, to double-check with a doctor if you’re on any medications before taking a stress supplement.

What is the Best Medicine for Stress?

If you are interested in the health benefits of taking supplements for stress, you may want to consider supplements that have the following ingredients.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha supplements are made from ashwagandha, an herb native to India. It has been used for centuries, believed to help improve your body’s ability to avoid mental and physical stress.

Ashwagandha supplements are believed to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also reduce the amount of morning cortisol your body produces.

L-Theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid that is often found in tea leaves – another reason to start drinking more tea! It is a natural component that can reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Drinking green tea can provide your body with the L-theanine it needs to stay calm and stress-free, as can taking a supplement with this amino acid in it.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that far too many of us are deficient in. This is partly due to nutrient-poor diets but is also linked to the consumption of alcohol and other lifestyle factors.

Magnesium supplements can improve anxiety and stress. It is a nutrient that is found naturally in green leafy vegetables, legumes, seeds, and nuts, but many of us simply aren’t getting enough.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that has been widely studied for its ability to help you fall and stay asleep at night. It is ideal for people who have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.

This hormone is found naturally in the body, with levels increasing at night when it’s dark, and decreasing in the morning, when it’s light.

Melatonin can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep and increase your total sleep time.

Rhodiola Rosea

This supplement is an herb that grows naturally in Russia and Asia. An adaptogen, it is a nontoxic herb that strengthens your body’s stress response system,

It has two active ingredients, rosavin and salidroside, that are helpful in treating poor sleep quality, short-term memory problems, and more.

Glycine

Glycine is a crucial amino acid that your body needs in order to create proteins.

It can increase your body’s resistance to stress and help make it easier for you to fall asleep at night. It has a calming effect and also lowers your core body temperature, helping you stay asleep all night long.

Lemon Balm

Another herb to consider taking for stress reduction is lemon balm. This heavenly-scented herb is cultivated all around the world. It is generally recognized as safe for most people by the FDA.

Lemon balm can reduce anxiety and improve sleep. It’s commonly made into tea, but you can also consume it as a supplement in pill form.

Valerian

Sometimes referred to as garden heliotrope, valerian is an herb that grows in North America, Asia, and Europe. It has calming effects that make it a prime candidate for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and other conditions.

Kava

Kava is a tropical evergreen shrub that is native to the South Pacific islands. It contains compounds known as kavalactones, which have powerful stress-reducing properties.

It’s important to consult a doctor if you’re thinking about taking kava. Some serious side effects have been noted with high doses- particularly liver damage.

B Vitamins

B complex vitamins typically contain all eight B vitamins. They are vital for metabolic health but can also improve your brain health and heart health as well.

You can get B vitamins from all kinds of foods, including green leafy vegetables, legumes, eggs, and meat. However, many stress supplements also contain B vitamins.

Do You Need a Vitamin and Mineral Supplement for Stress Relief?

Do you have to take supplements if you’re interested in reducing stress?

Not necessarily.

If you consume a healthy, balanced diet, you’re probably taking in all the nutrients your body needs.

Aim to include more antioxidants in your diet. These are found in vitamins like A, E, C, and selenium. They help fight free radicals and reduce the impact of environmental stressors.

Foods that are brightly colored tend to have the most antioxidants. Examples include:

• Red peppers
• Beets
• Cherries
• Pomegranate
• Oranges
• Carrots
• Squash
• Sweet potatoes
• Melons
• Lemons
• Leafy greens
• Broccoli
• Kiwi
• Blueberries
• Purple potatoes
• Red onion

Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Try to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables – and choose a variety of colorful produce to help make sure your body is getting what it needs.

Stress Supplement Reviews

It can be difficult to know where to start when looking for a stress supplement. The market is saturated with options, all of which make big promises.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best stress supplements on the market, complete with an explanation of how each one works and what it’s good for.

If you’re considering adding a stress supplement to your routine, take a look at our reviews and see if any of them fit your needs.