Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is considered an adaptogen, which means that many believe it enables the body to manage tension and maintain balance. Ashwagandha is native to India and parts of Africa and is a member of the nightshade family. The root and berry of the ashwagandha plant are the parts used for these wellness-related purposes, and the root is usually dried and powdered for use in many supplements, primarily with the goal of managing feelings of stress or tension. If you want to learn more, keep reading to find out about the benefits of ashwagandha for stress relief.
What are the benefits of ashwagandha for stress relief?
As part of a balanced lifestyle, it is popular to use ashwagandha as a natural remedy to reduce stress levels. According to users, ashwagandha restores the balance between cortisol (the hormone released during times of physical or emotional stress) and other hormones linked to our overall well-being. In addition to reducing cortisol levels in the body, this herbal supplement is thought to boost serotonin; which plays an integral role in regulating moods and emotions. You can find ashwagandha in products like these happy gummies.
Ashwagandha contains active compounds called withanolides, which are thought to be responsible for the effects that users describe. Withanolides have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, meaning they can protect your body from damage caused by oxidative stress while reducing inflammation throughout the body. This in turn helps regulate cortisol production, a hormone associated with stress levels. Though more research is needed, there’s no doubt that ashwagandha shows a lot of promise.
Keep in mind that before adding anything new to your daily routine, you should talk to your doctor to see what their opinion is of the product. Additionally, your doctor can explain how a particular supplement will affect any health conditions you have or interact with any of the prescription medications you’re currently taking.
What lifestyle factors can exacerbate stress?
Now that you know about the benefits of ashwagandha, let’s talk about some lifestyle factors that may be exacerbating your level of stress. For example, sleep deprivation is a major problem in our society and can have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. Not getting enough sleep can increase our stress levels and make it more difficult to cope with stressors. Lack of sleep can cause our stress hormones to rise and make us more reactive, irritable, and anxious. It can also lead to impaired judgment and decision-making.
Believe it or not, what you eat can have a major effect on your stress levels as well. Eating unhealthy foods, such as processed and sugary foods, can lead to spikes in blood sugar, which can have a negative effect on your mood and energy levels. Eating healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, can balance your blood sugar, which often affects how tense or anxious you feel. You should incorporate plenty of water into your diet and avoid caffeine and alcohol as much as possible, as they can noticeably worsen stress.
As you can see, ashwagandha has become a common natural remedy and there are many supplements available that make it easy to incorporate it into your routine. With its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it is thought to improve overall health in a variety of ways. Beyond using supplements, you also need to make the right lifestyle choices on a daily basis if you want to avoid unnecessary stress, including getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy diet. If you follow the advice in this article, then you’ll be well on your way to feeling like the best version of yourself.