We take a look at some of the best calming supplements designed to provide relief from stress, low mood, fatigue and anxiety…
Words: Angela Kennedy | Lead image: Shutterstock
Feeling stressed out? While it’s never pleasant to experience, stress is a perfectly normal human response. In fact, it can benefit us in certain scenarios, like when we are in danger or trying to get some work finished before a deadline. While some amount of stress is normal and necessary when suitable for the situation, it can become an issue if it becomes prolonged, constant, or triggered when no danger is present.
If you are struggling with the amount of stress and anxiety you’re experiencing, supplements could help to provide you with some relief. Many stress relief supplements draw inspiration from ayurvedic healing practices. They often use specific herbs, plants and spices that are known for their calming properties. Lots of these key ingredients are also known as adaptogens.
What are adaptogens?
Stress-busting herbs, such as ashwagandha and rhodiola rosea, are called adaptogens. This means they help your body adapt to emotional and physical stress. Adaptogens can calm mind and body or give you a mild boost of energy when fatigued. They work by keeping your body in balance (called homeostasis), and especially regulate the adrenal gland. This can become fatigued by the physiological effects of stress.
7 anxiety supplements for stress relief
NOTE: If the stress and anxiety you are feeling is severe and is affecting your quality of life, seek help and advice from a medical professional. The supplements listed below are ideal for providing relief from mild anxiety, stress, fatigue and low mood. However, you shouldn’t use them as the main treatment for any mental health concern.
Vitano Rhodiola (£9.90)
Vitano Rhodiola will give you a herbal boost by relieving symptoms of stress, such as fatigue, exhaustion, mild anxiety and low sex drive. It contains 200mg of dried roots and rhizomes extract. Plus, it is vegan and gluten-free.
Inessa Magnesium (£24.99)
Inessa Magnesium combines three types of magnesium in highly bioavailable forms. This includes marine magnesium citrate from purified seawater, magnesium bisglycinate, which is gentle on the gut and has a calming effect. It also includes magnesium threonate, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it excellent for mental wellbeing and relaxation.
Karmacist Mood (£40)
Harvard and Stanford scientists developed Karmacist Mood to help promote emotional balance. It contains Safr’Inside™, said to be the only saffron extract proven to boost levels of serotonin, the key hormone that stabilises your mood.
The supplement also contains resilience-building passionflower as well as relaxing magnesium citrate, calming lavender powder, plus vitamin B6, which stress depletes in the body.
Solgar Ultimate Calm Daily Support (£21.99)
Solgar Ultimate Calm Daily Support builds your resilience to work-life pressures with fatigue-fighting herb rhodiola rosea. It also contains eight naturally-sourced B vitamins with high bioavailability, to support your mood.
Alphagreen Sample Kit (£40)
Alphagreen Sample Kit contains a full-size Alphagreen CBD Oil 10%, and Alphagreen CBD Gummies. The CBD company creates both of these using high-potency, organic CBD isolate, which they process to remove all terpenes and non-CBD cannabinoids and compounds. Both free from THC, parabens and sulphates.
BWELL CBD Herbals Calming (£25.48)
BWELL CBD Herbals Calming is a broad-spectrum CBD oil 5% with soothing evening primrose oil. The yellow primrose flower contains gamma-linolenic acid, which has a calming, anti-inflammatory effect in the body. Made with filtered CBD to remove any impurities and create an appealing golden oil.
deja: mind balance (£35)
deja: mind balance is a mind-calming supplement made with a blend of 11 ayurvedic herbs, nootropics and adaptogens. It’s designed to provide relief from stress and anxiety as well as boost your brain.
The supplement contains several calming herbs, including brahmi, valo, nagarmotha and shankhavali increase focus and aid memory. There’s also amla, kesar and jatamansi to quieten brain chatter and keep you chilled. Finally, ashwagandha and tulsi help your mind and body deal with everyday stresses.