As human beings, our bodies are wired to react to stress in a myriad of different ways to help protect us against threats. On a day-to-day basis, we face a multitude of different stressors—from workload demands and daily commutes to taking care of both the bills and our families. While these may not be as significant as a real threat to our lives such as a predator or poorly lit alleyway on our walk home, our body still treats these so-called ‘minor hassles’ as real threats and responds to them as if we are under attack. This doesn’t have to be the case anymore.

As long as we recognize what’s happening and we take the proper steps to get ahead of it, we can manage the way our bodies respond to stress herbally through clinically-studied stress relief supplements and the practice of Ayurveda.

What is Stress, Really?

More often than not, when we feel like we’re under a constant amount of stress, we unknowingly put our body’s stress-response system into high gear, and it puts our health in jeopardy. Too much stress in the body causes a wealth of other problems with digestion, weight, memory, concentration, and much more.

What’s commonly known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is released during periods of high tension and stress. Almost all the cells in our body have cortisol receptors, and because of this, when it’s released, it affects many different bodily functions in many different ways. Made in the adrenal glands, the release of cortisol is controlled by a combination of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal gland (this combination is also known as the HPA axis).

When you experience or perceive a threat, your body sets off an internal alarm and releases a combination of both cortisol and adrenaline. For many of us, we have become so used to this alarm that we don’t even realize how it’s affecting our bodily functions or our mental well-being. The release of these hormones can increase our heart rate, blood pressure, suppress the digestive system, reproductive system, and even growth processes. This complex alarm controls moods, motivations, and fears. As the threat passes, our stress-response system allows our hormone levels to return to normal. But when stressors are consistently present, our stress-response system (or our fight-or-flight response) stays on. And the long-term effects of this disrupt many of our body’s natural processes, causing us more stress and discomfort. This is a cyclical response that can be mitigated if we take the proper steps.

We Can’t Stop Stress, But We Can Learn How to Adapt to It

First, let’s talk about adaptogens. Adaptogens are balancing herbs used in Ayurveda and can be a useful tool to help balance cortisol levels. Just like the name sounds, adaptogenic herbs help us to ‘adapt’ to stressors. These historically important plants can be eaten at meals, taken as stress relief herbal supplements, or brewed as tea.

Think of adaptogens for your adrenal glands like exercise is for your muscles. Adaptogens work by interacting with the HPA axis, helping your body respond to stress by keeping your fight-or-flight response from overworking itself, and when you’re taking them regularly, you’re training your body to handle stress and respond in a more leveled manner.

Introducing adaptogenic herbs such as Organic Ashwagandha, Holy Basil (or a combination of both with StressCare) into your daily routine can improve your body’s response to any number of stressors and can help your body begin to balance its own systems more efficiently.

Ayurvedic herbalists use adaptogenic herbs in many different contexts, but one of their primary uses is to support memory health and brain health, especially in times of stress or fatigue. Certain herbs in traditional Ayurvedic healthcare are thought to help improve mental function, boost memory, and support cognition, which in turn helps you manage your mental well-being as it pertains to stress. While your body takes care of its own systems internally with a bit of a boost from the long-respected benefits of these age-old herbs, you can gain mental clarity to face your stress and take control of your health.

Supplements aren’t the only thing that can help you reduce your stress, either. In addition to continuing to research and understand herbal nutrition, you should also try a few things to improve your stress (and your mood) such as:

1. Limiting screen time. While many of us are working from home, this could be easier said than done, but whenever possible, it’s important to step away from screens and give your eyes a much-needed rest.
   
2. Getting outside. It could be for less than a minute and increase over time (when’s the last time you stood next to a tree?). Take a break for just a moment and take a deep breath outside at least once a day. This could grow into a 2-minute walk around your house, then your block, and then maybe, you might actually want to graduate to taking your lunch break, leaving your phone behind, and disconnecting for a few.
   
3. Calling a loved one. Sometimes when we’re stressed, we can go within and forget that we have people that we can reach out to. Remember your support system in times of high stress, heightened worry, and anxiety.  
   

Different Types of Stress Relief Supplements

There are many different types of stress relief supplements that contain adaptogens that promote balance and heightened mental clarity:

Ashwagandha: Himalaya Organic Ashwagandha is not simply just a crushed Ashwagandha powder, but a clinically-studied extract that provides stress relief by supporting your adrenals and balancing the stress hormone, cortisol. It also promotes sustained energy levels without stimulating your heart. It’s one of Ayurveda’s oldest herbs and has been used for centuries for stress and energy.*

Holy Basil: In Ayurveda, Holy Basil is considered sacred and special, and is often found in temple gardens to promote peaceful thoughts. It's also famous for cleansing and respiratory support, making it a gentle companion for relaxing, deep breaths, and peaceful feelings. Holy Basil promotes calm in the body, allowing for a more rested and relaxed state. It supports tranquility, adrenal wellness, and also provides support for occasional sleeplessness.*

Organic Mucuna: Mucuna, one of history’s long-standing tranquility herbs, has long been considered a mood and nervine tonic in traditional Indian healthcare. Also known as Kapikachhu or Velvet Bean, Himalaya Organic Mucuna not only supports normal brain function, tranquility, and overall relaxation, but also supports mood, libido, and muscle coordination. Organic Mucuna supports the nervous system, muscle movement, and the release of physical tension to help you relax, recover, and maintain your sense of mental well-being.*

Chyavanprash: A traditional daily rejuvenator for energy, digestion, and metabolism, this famous Indian mixture of over 40 different herbs, including Amla, Cardamom, and Cinnamon, is the cornerstone of traditional Ayurveda and thought to be one of the oldest recorded herbal recipes on Earth. For daily rejuvenation and energy, Chyavanprash has been used for centuries as an Ayurvedic superfood for strength, vitality, immunity, and good digestion. Chyavanprash promotes calm and sustained energy levels for increased daily wellness.*

Additionally, there are herbal blends that are specifically formulated to improve your daily stress response and mood:

StressCare: Himalaya’s StressCare offers plant-based stress relief without feeling sleepy. StressCare is a top choice for anyone who needs steady relief in a stressed-out world. It is a non-GMO project verified with a blend of Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Gotu Kola Into, and other herbal ingredients that help to balance your energy, lower your stress levels, and relax the mind and body. StressCare works by supporting your central nervous system to promote normal relaxation and calmness.*

Hello Peace: Say “Hello!” to peace and “Goodbye!” to anxiety. Time-honored herbs like Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Saffron, and Chyavanprash help you get back to a Zen state of mind because we believe that every day should feel like a Friday. Himalaya Hello Peace is formulated to reduce your response to stress, ease a nervous stomach and keep you as cool as a cucumber even in the most stressful moments.*

Hello Joy: We all deserve to be happy. Himalaya Hello Joy has been clinically studied to boost your mood, support your motivation, and put that pep back in your step. Some of Ayurveda’s most famous herbs like Ashwagandha, Amla, Bacopa, and Holy Basil help cheer you up when you need it the most, supporting your mood and emotional wellness.*

These herbal supplements along with many others can help improve your daily stress response and mood. Not only do these popular herbs provide stress relief by supporting your adrenal glands to maintain normal levels of cortisol, but they also help to promote deeper levels of relaxation, immune system support, and sustained energy levels without stimulating your heart.*

Celebrated StressCare from Himalaya

For those looking for relief from occasional stress, fatigue, frustration, and mood swings, you can reduce restlessness and calm the mind with clinically-studied stress relief supplements from Himalaya.

However you choose to support your health, at Himalaya, we craft herbal supplements because we believe wellness starts from the ground up. Himalaya’s StressCare herbal supplement harnesses the benefits of Ashwagandha and other legendary adaptogens to help you manage your daily stress when you need that kind of support the most.

Stay in tune with your body and learn more about herbal wellness by subscribing to our newsletter at the bottom of this page. For questions about our products, please see our FAQ.

_{*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.}