Stressed out? You’re definitely not alone…we seem to be very good at upping the ante on life at every single turn. So, you’re probably curious about whether there are any good supplements for stress. And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about during the solo episode - the first of season 3!
In my own life, I’ve noticed that life just seems to get more intense with each passing year, even though my kids aren’t tiny anymore. Part of that could be my own response to my environment, but when I look at things on paper, I realize that over the last 5 years, I’ve written 3 books and started hosting a podcast, on top of all the usual things such as writing a weekly blog and newsletter and managing two instagram accounts. So maybe, just maybe, I have to admit that I’ve piled a lot on myself. And some days it feels really good. But sometimes, it all feels like a bit too much…so if you’re feeling stressed out and overworked, you’re not alone.
Stress is interesting. It can be positive and useful, like when you’re excited by a big project and want to do a really good job. Or, when it alerts you to something that is out of sync with how you should be living, like a negative job environment. And while it is totally normal to go through periods of stress, if you notice that you can’t remember the last time you weren’t stressed, it might be time to look at it closely. Chronic stress affects our minds and bodies on so many levels: from increasing feelings of anxiety to exacerbating gut health issues like irritable bowel syndrome. It messes with our sleep and even impacts our immune function. So even as a registered dietitian, I rarely have a conversation about healing without also mentioning stress.
This is an episode for anyone who has ever had to deal with stress, which is everyone, so let’s dive in and talk about 5 common supplements for stress, the science and the reality.
On this episode we chat about:

3 things I’m obsessed with right now, in the opening segment of the episode
What I personally do to help me manage stress
What supplements can - and cannot do - to support you in times of stress
What are adaptogens, actually?
The science, mechanisms of action and dosages for 5 common supplements for stress: rhodiola, ashwagandha, reishi, chamomile and l-theanine
The challenges in choosing plant medicines due to varying quality and efficacy
Who should NOT take a supplement for stress
Are there safe supplements for stressed out kids?

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All links to the research cited in this episode, plus my recommendations can be found at https://desireerd.com/podcast/