Let’s face it: stress is inescapable. Whether it’s a tight deadline at work, managing household chores or balancing finances, stress impacts us all. Luckily, you aren’t left completely powerless to the challenges life throws at you– Persona’s Stress Formula includes dietitian-approved supplements to help support your body when life is well…a little bit much.
First, what is stress?
While stress often gets a bad rep, your body’s stress response is a normal and healthy reaction to anything that requires you to take action. Imagine, for example, you’ve come face-to-face with a bear or perhaps you see an incoming call from your boss. Your senses sharpen, your blood pressure rises, your heart rate increases—all these changes are your body’s way of saying run! Super handy for bear encounters. Less handy for dealing with surprise calls from your boss.
What happens in your body when stressed?
When stressed, your body shifts to fight or flight mode and releases hormones like adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol. This revs your heart rate, blood pressure and slows digestion among other functions to give your body the surge in energy and strength it needs to avoid the threat. (You know that age-old advice for surviving a shark attack? Just punch it in the nose! Yeah, you’re going to need adrenaline to help you with that.) Once the threat is gone, your body returns to its normal processes a.k.a your relaxation response.
Sounds like everything is under control, right? Not quite.
More often though, stress isn’t life threatening – it’s rooted in daily tasks and the constant pressures of life. Because we experience persistent daily stressors, some of us don’t go through enough of these lulls or relaxation responses in between stressful events. This near constant state of fight or flight, can lead to a slew of health issues and maybe even some unhealthy coping habits. Think: not enough sleep, poor eating habits, alcohol and more.
What is the Stress Formula?
While stress is helpful in short periods, your body’s response system isn’t designed to always be activated for a long period of time. The Stress Formula includes 3 supplements to support your body’s natural processes to manage and cope with everyday stress*:
Fermented ginseng
Does stress ever make you feel zapped for energy? Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the more stimulating adaptogens (don’t worry- it shouldn’t cause jitters). It’s also rich in antioxidants and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. When life loses its chill, fermented Asian ginseng is thought to provide a gentle uplifting effect. Researchers think it may support mood and energy by oxygenating your body and promoting energy production in your cells.
Put simply: when you’re feeling a little run down and exhausted, adding fermented ginseng to your routine can help support your mood* and help ease the everyday effects of stress.*
Ashwagandha
This super root has gained popularity in recent years and for good reason. Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera is an adaptogenic root that’s been used in Ayurvedic and indigenous remedies for centuries to help manage stress. When life becomes taxing, your body releases cortisol, which can lead to unwanted symptoms like fatigue, poor mood, brain fog, and sugar cravings. Ashwagandha can help ease some of the effects of stress.* That doesn’t mean you can just pop some ashwagandha and power through your body’s cues though (relaxation can be productive!). Ashwagandha is thought to work by keeping your cortisol levels in check- delaying the period to exhaustion (not preventing it) and giving you more time to resolve the stressors at hand.1
DHA with vitamin D
Cortisol not only interferes with your energy and mood, but also nutrient absorption (…because, of course it does!). While this doesn’t mean you should throw your hands up and swap your green breakfast smoothie for pop tarts, it does mean you may need to put in a little more work to get in those essential nutrients.
Eating a balanced diet with a wide-range of nutrients is essential for supporting your body when stressed. The sunshine vitamin and omega-3s are incredibly important when it comes to managing stress. Why? Because low levels of both nutrients can exacerbate unwanted symptoms of stress.
Vitamin D plays a vital role in supporting calcium absorption, mood, immunity, brain health and more, but about 42% of Americans aren’t getting enough. And DHA is the main omega-3 fat in your brain and is vital for brain health and critical for your nervous system to function properly to limit symptoms of fatigue and brain fog when stressed.2
How do they work together?
There’s no one-size solution to alleviate the effects of stress. But stress-supporting nutrients and adaptogens in the Stress Formula can help with managing both the physical and mental impacts it has on your body. Ashwagandha, Fermented ginseng and DHA w/ D all work together to aid your body’s normal processes and minimize stress-related symptoms.*
What type of activities help with stress? Read Does yoga help relieve stress?
About Yaquelin
Yaquelin is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Her passion is helping others live healthier and happier lives. She enjoys learning about new supplements, working out and baking sweet treats.
Do you have questions about supplements? Reach out to one of our experts, or take Persona’s free nutrition assessment, and learn exactly what you need to take your wellness to the next level.
*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.
This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information from this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article
