Adapt to stress with ashwagandha
Stress is something we all experience, regardless of our job, where we live, or our family situation. Stress is the body's reaction to environmental stimuli (stressors). Natural and healthy to a certain degree, stress can motivate us and drive us forward in life. However, too much stress and the inability to manage it can have dramatic consequences for a person's health.
Stress. It's safe to say that we all experience too much of it. Chronic stress can lead to fatigue, headaches, nervousness, and irritability, and over time, can have serious health consequences.
Regular exercise and a good diet are excellent for dealing with stress, but they may not be enough when daily stress becomes overwhelming. Ashwagandha is a medicinal plant known for its anti-stress effects. Ashwagandha helps reduce mental stress, anxiety, cortisol production, and even stress-related cravings!
Statistics
Today, stress is endemic in Canada. In 2020, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were all administered to a group of over 8,000 people, aged 25 to over 60. People under 25 appear to be the most affected, as they scored the highest on all three tests. While stress needs to be considered at all ages, it now needs to be considered for more younger people than ever before.1
Chronic Stress
Stress triggers the production of adrenaline and cortisol, allowing the individual to react to the stressful situation. Productivity may increase, but fatigue and exhaustion can follow, and if prolonged, health problems can arise.
The Mind-Body Connection
Chronic stress is associated with mental health problems. The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, as well as alcohol and drug abuse are more common among individuals experiencing extreme stress.2
These "stress states" can lead to memory loss, poor brain performance, anxiety disorders, and accelerated aging. Stress can also lead to physical illnesses, including heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, respiratory problems, migraines, metabolic syndrome, obesity, poor sexual performance, and weakened immunity.
Solutions for Managing Stress and Anxiety
The pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of medications to deal with stress. Common prescriptions include anxiolytics (tranquilizers or benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax), beta-blockers for anxiety symptoms, or sleeping pills to treat insomnia. These medications can lead to dependence, decreased effectiveness with regular use, and contribute to cognitive decline and withdrawal symptoms.
Natural Solutions
To avoid the potential risks of pharmaceuticals, the Canadian Mental Health Association recommends a number of lifestyle adjustments to help the mind and body cope:3
- Identify stress triggers
- Address problems as they arise
- Talk about how you feel with a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.
- Simplify your life
- Learn helpful thinking strategies
- Learn to manage stress, including getting enough sleep (7 hours a day) to allow the mind and body to heal, engaging in regular vigorous exercise to release stress, and eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and protein.
- Start from within by practicing yoga, deep breathing, and mindfulness to help calm the mind and body.
- Do something you enjoy, dedicate time to hobbies and activities you find fun and that allow you to take a break from your problems.
- Surround yourself with supportive family and friends.
Natural supplements can also help you cope with stress. Nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and magnesium, have been found to be helpful. Traditional herbal remedies also have a history of helping the body during mental or physical stress.
Adaptogens – Natural Stress Resistance
Herbal adaptogens can help rebalance and regenerate the body during times of stress. The best adaptogens have the following characteristics4 :
- Reduce stress-induced damage
- Safe and beneficial even at higher-than-normal doses
- Free from negative effects, including withdrawal
- Avoid affecting normal body functions more than necessary.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a powerful adaptogen. Its name means "smell of horse" due to its distinctive odor and its ability to impart "the strength of a horse." The root has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years as a rejuvenating herb, improving several body systems: neurological, immune, energy production, endocrine, and reproductive systems.5
Ashwagandha has a long history of use. Researchers believe that Ashwagandha's ability to reduce blood cortisol levels is the primary reason for its effectiveness against stress symptoms.
In stressful situations, cortisol can increase up to 20 times the normal level due to excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion.6 Elevated cortisol leads to an increased heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar. High cortisol levels for short periods can be life-saving. High cortisol levels for long periods can have detrimental effects.7
Health First Ashwagandha Supreme is formulated with KSM-66® Ashwagandha – a concentrated, organic, non-GMO root extract, and the most clinically studied Ashwagandha on the market. KSM-66® contains the full profile of naturally occurring nutrients in Ashwagandha.
KSM-66® Ashwagandha is a superior extract for several reasons. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, only the root is used, not the leaves. KSM-66® has the highest concentration (5%) of all root-only Ashwagandha extracts and retains the full profile of naturally occurring nutrients in Ashwagandha. Most importantly, the KSM-66® extract is supported by extensive clinical studies. It's no wonder it has been called "the world's best Ashwagandha"!