With all the joys the holidays bring, they can also be one of the most stressful times of year for many of us. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the heavy traffic, the crowded malls, or the stress of having to plan a family gathering. While it is practically impossible to avoid the stress of the season, there are some supplements to consider for helping you manage the constant bombardment of activity.

Stress is a normal part of life, and our bodies are designed to be able to deal with it. But we are living in  a time where daily stress is at an all-time high, and the majority of people don’t realize it’s something they can manage. A number of herbs fall under the category of adaptogens. Otherwise known as tonic herbs or superior herbs, these plants have been used in various cultures throughout the past couple of thousand years. Adaptogens are defined as substances that help the body adapt to stress or changes to one’s environment. They are used to balance the body, supporting the adrenals and promoting a feeling of overall well-being. They are meant to be taken on a daily basis but can also be taken as needed during times of high stress.

Some of the most common adaptogens would be rhodiola, ashwaghanda, schizandra, suma, all of the ginsengs, and countless others. They can be taken separately or in formulas with other herbs. Adaptogens are usually found in a few different categories: adrenal support/stress, energy or sleep. Some of our best formulas would be Adrenal Health from Gaia Herbs, Adrenal Assist from Vitanica, Cortisol Calm from Pure Encapsulations, AdreneVive from Orthomolecular Products or Cortisol Manager from Integrative Therapeutics.

Cortisol Manager and Sleep Tonight by Enzymatic Therapy would be good candidates for stress-related sleep problems. These would all be great formulas to take to get you through the holidays, but even better to get you through the entire year!