Learning how to handle stress effectively, tend to our mental health, and boost our mood are essential strategies to surviving adulthood. The problem is, we’re not always taught how to approach these essential wellness practices. That’s why we’re always looking for new products, expert tips, and guidance from people and brands we trust, especially since a 2020 report revealed that one-third of Americans are living with extreme stress and nearly half of Americans (48 percent) believe that their stress has increased over the past five years. As we learned during the pandemic, “our minds can quickly go from fine to panicked in a matter of minutes. So it’s probably safe to say a majority of Americans are experiencing varying levels of stress these days.” If you’re in that camp, here’s everything you need to take care of yourself.

What Is Stress?

The American Psychological Association defines stress as “a normal reaction to everyday pressures” but notes that it can become unhealthy if it impacts your day-to-day functioning. Our body’s stress response has been honed over time and was originally needed by ancient ancestors to protect them from predators and other threats. When faced with danger, the body is flooded with hormones that elevate your heart rate, increase blood pressure, and boost your energy to flee or fight. But modern life can also trigger our “fight or flight” response, leading to chronic stress. In small doses, our body is well-equipped to deal with stressors, but when the tension becomes long-term, it can start impacting various systems of your body, including musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems.

Tips to Reduce Stress

To support yourself in stressful times, here are four ways to approach healing.

Practice mindfulness. Taking a few deep breaths helps slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and decrease cortisol. Setting aside 10 to 15 minutes each day to meditate can create a sense of calm that permeates your entire nervous system.
Eat to reduce stress. One study showed that chronically stressed women who ate food high in trans fats and sugar experienced health effects like larger waistlines, more insulin resistance, and more oxidative damage. Choosing whole foods including probiotics like kimchi and kombucha may positively impact your mood, relieve tension, and minimize stress.
Laugh. Is laughter really the best medicine? Science is beginning to think so. Through brain scans, neuroscientists are compiling evidence that laughter triggers chemical responses in the brain that lead to feelings of pleasure and a sense of well-being.
Identify nutrient imbalances. Dr. John Dempster, ND says “one of the most important ways to help someone enter into a healing environment is to identify their nutrient deficiencies. Surprisingly, I have yet to find a patient who didn’t have a nutrient deficiency in their first blood test.” For example, people who are low in B vitamins, amino acids, and certain minerals like zinc and magnesium may have a higher chance of feeling anxious.

Top Stress & Mood Brands

Choose from a variety of quality supplements to help boost your mood, restore nutrients, and support your nervous system.

Nordic Naturals

To formulate its non-GMO supplements, Nordic Naturals sources fish from clean waters and Friend of the Sea Certified fisheries, then bottles each batch in an oxygen-free, nitrogen-rich facility.

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega

In a lemon flavor, this concentrated supplement delivers omega-3’s, which may support healthy glucose levels and your body’s ability to respond to stress.

New Chapter

New Chapter—a Certified B Corp—is committed to high-quality, organic, and non-GMO ingredients. Its responsibly sourced supplements are free from artificial fillers, colors, and synthetic binders.

New Chapter Every Man’s One Daily Multivitamin

Organic herbs and whole foods make up this once-daily multi formulated specifically to meet the nutritional needs of men. Thrive Market member Allen from Indiana says he likes the size and that the pills “do not bother my stomach in the mornings.”

Organic India

Every herb in Organic India's line of ethically sourced and Certified Organic tea and supplements is grown responsibly by small family farms trained in regenerative agriculture practices.

Organic India Ashwagandha

As an adaptogenic herb, ashwagandha is believed to support the body’s ability to adapt to stress, as well as adrenal, thyroid, and reproductive function.

Learn More About Stress

Head to the blog to learn even more about managing stress, supportive recipes and supplements, and more.

How the Moon Juice Founder Uses Adaptogens for Stress

In this interview, Moon Juice founder Amanda Chantal Bacon breaks down the benefits of adaptogens and how it’s helped her support healthy stress levels.

How Work Stress Impacts Your Brain

Frazzled from work? It may be impacting your brain in less than desirable ways. This post talks about how deadlines, office politics, and other factors may cause anxiety and how to cope.

A 2-Ingredient Tea Recipe for Stressful Times

Brew a batch of our simple two-ingredient tea recipe whenever you need a moment of calm. Start with dried lavender flowers and water—that’s it—and add orange slices and honey, if you’d like.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.