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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Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash
