4 Ways to Relieve Stress with Ashwagandha

Whether it’s from work or personal life, stress is often an everyday reality of life. We stress about overflowing schedules and looming deadlines. We stress about the health of our families and how our kids are doing at school. We even stress about good things like summer travel plans and if we’ll take that promotion at work. Stressors come in many shapes and sizes. But just because we all experience stress, that doesn’t mean we have to succumb to it. That’s where ashwagandha comes in. This ancient medicinal herb can help alleviate some of the most common symptoms of stress, helping you get on with your day and be joyful about it!

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years as part of traditional Ayurveda medicine. Translated to mean “smell of a horse” ashwagandha actually gets its name from the fact that the fresh root of this universal herb smells like a horse. But while the name may make you laugh, ashwagandha has some seriously beneficial qualities for everyday life. Embraced for its positive effect on everything from immune functionality to joint mobility, ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen that also interacts with receptors in the brain to regulate the hormones responsible for physiological and psychological triggers that can lead to stress.

4 Ways to Relieve Stress with Ashwagandha

1. Ashwagandha to Calm Anxiety

Ashwagandha is widely embraced for its adaptogen properties, which means it can actually help block pathways in the brain that promote anxiety by regulating these signals in the nervous system. In this way, ashwagandha is an effective tool in reducing the symptoms of stress and anxiety. In fact, one study showed that individuals who used ashwagandha reported a 69% average reduction in anxiety, and another found 88% of participants who took ashwagandha report a reduction in their anxiety.

2. Ashwagandha for Sleep Support

The relationship between stress and sleep is a vicious cycle – stress makes it hard to fall and stay asleep, while lack of sleep turns into a source of near constant stress. Thankfully, ashwagandha plays double duty as well, helping to calm anxiety as noted above and promote restorative sleep. The natural properties of this ancient herb balance the energy in your body without the intense and sedative effects of an over-the-counter sleeping pill.

3. Ashwagandha for Energy and Stamina Support

Sometimes the best way to combat stress is to be active and ashwagandha can help with that too. Multiple studies have shown that ashwagandha may support energy and stamina for workout performance, as well as promote energy for the heart so that it can function at tip-top shape.

4. Ashwagandha for Mood Support

Although research linking ashwagandha to the alleviation of symptoms related to depression is somewhat limited, at least two studies have reported its effectiveness. One 60-day study actually found that stressed adults who took ashwagandha daily experienced a 79% reduction in severe depression symptoms.

How to Use Ashwagandha for Stress

There are multiple ways to take ashwagandha for stress relief. Natural Healthy Concepts boasts a wide range of ashwagandha supplements, including capsules, powders, and even oral sprays. You can also take a daily dose of 1-2 teaspoons (or 3-6 grams) of dried ashwagandha root powder to help alleviate stress.

Of course, don’t forget to combine your ashwagandha supplement with a healthy lifestyle as well! Creating healthy habits related to food, exercise, and sleep are the most important factors in alleviating the effects of stress on everyday life. Combine those elements with ashwagandha, and you’ll be ready to take on whatever stressors come your way with energy, poise, and joy!

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