From Stress to Serenity - Find Calm & Balance Naturally This Stress Awareness Month
National Stress Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on our well-being and take proactive steps towards a healthier, more balanced life. The 2025 theme “Lead with Love” encourages us to engage with ourselves and others with kindness, compassion and acceptance as we navigate life’s challenges. If you or those you care about are suffering from daily stress and anxiety, you are not alone. A survey conducted in 2023 by the Mental Health Foundation indicates that 20% of adults in the UK experienced anxiety most or all of the time.1
A stress reaction occurs when the body releases a cascade of hormones, particularly cortisol, in response to a stressful psychological, physical or environmental stimulus. This response is often referred to as the "fight, flight, or freeze" reaction. Physical symptoms can include body tension, anxiety and tight, knotted muscles. If prolonged high stress levels are not addressed, they can negatively impact healthy digestion, immune function and sleep quality, plus in the long-term contribute to various stress-related chronic health conditions.
Read on for nutrition hacks and natural products to consider as part of your stress busting toolkit:
❖ Nourish your Nervous System:
Often referred to as "neuro-vitamins," B vitamins play a vital role in maintaining healthy psychological function. When we experience stress, our need for these essential nutrients can increase. A deficiency in B vitamins may lead to symptoms such as lethargy, irritability, anxiety, and low mood. During times of stress, we often gravitate towards convenient and comforting refined foods that lack essential nutrients, which can make our situation even worse.
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Nature’s Answer Liquid Vitamin B-Complex is designed to support your daily energy levels and help in managing stress by bridging nutritional gaps. This high-potency formula includes a comprehensive blend of B vitamins, along with antioxidants like Vitamins C and E. Enjoy the great taste of our tangerine-flavoured formula, enhanced with a unique blend of botanicals in a liquid format for optimal absorption, providing an efficient and fast acting supplement.
❖ Snack Smart:
Rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar can trigger the release of stress hormones, including cortisol, which can heighten feelings of stress and anxiety. Choose stress-busting snacks like nuts, yoghurt, and oatcakes with protein-rich toppings. These options provide essential nutrients and can help stabilise energy levels.
❖ Calm your Whole Being:
Carve out time in your busy schedule for mindfulness meditation or total body relaxation. Even just 10 minutes a day can help you regain presence, perspective and a calmer state of mind.
Herbs to consider:
Ashwagandha is a prized botanical in Ayurvedic tradition. Research has explored its effect on the body’s natural stress response and its impressive cortisol-lowering ability.2 Within traditional herbalism, Ashwagandha is categorised as an “adaptogen” and is believed to support relaxation and calm.
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Nature’s Answer Ashwagandha Root is a concentrated, alcohol-free liquid extract that is rapidly absorbed, allowing it to take effect in the body more quickly than capsules. It can be taken once a day or up to three times daily, as needed.
❖ Careful with Caffeine intake
As a central nervous system stimulant, caffeine consumption can increase cortisol levels and exacerbate symptoms, making it more challenging to manage anxiety effectively. Go for green tea and herbal teas as an alternative, especially later in the day.
❖ Build Resilience:
Pack magnesium-rich foods into your diet, such as leafy greens, nuts, beans, whole grains and avocado. Stress can increase magnesium loss and a shortfall in magnesium could allow you to be more susceptible to stress.3
Herbs to consider:
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) is a hardy plant that flourishes in cold, mountainous regions. Classified as an “adaptogen” in herbal traditions, this botanical has been associated with supporting mood and promoting natural energy and resilience. Its properties are linked to active compounds, namely rosavin and salidroside, which are found in the roots of this plant.4
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Nature’s Answer Rhodiola Root extract is an alcohol-free liquid herbal extract that has been standardised for active compounds rosavin and salidroside while preserving the natural balance of the herb as nature intended.
Schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis) has been used for centuries within Chinese herbal traditions, particularly as a tonic for supporting the body’s vital life force energy, otherwise known as “chi” or “qi”. Evidence suggests schisandra may help relieve fatigue. Polysaccharide compounds within schisandra berry have been linked to neuroprotective effects.5
- A trusted brand for over 50 years, Nature’s Answer are known for their high-quality, alcohol-free, liquid herbal extracts. Nature’s Answer Schisandra extract is made from 2000mg of schisandra berries per serving, offering a potent all-natural formula.
Any claims are based on clinical research, are not aimed to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Food supplements should be used within the framework of a healthy lifestyle and not used as substitutes of a varied and balanced diet.
References:
- https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week/anxiety-report/who-has-anxiety-uk
- Salve, J., et al. (2019). Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus, 11(12), e6466. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6466
- Pickering, G., et al. (2020). Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited. Nutrients, 12(12), 3672. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123672
- Panossian, A., et al. (2010). Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 17(7), 481–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.02.002
- Chen, S., et al. (2024). Extraction, purification, structural characterization, and bioactivities of the genus Schisandra polysaccharides: A review. International journal of biological macromolecules, 262(Pt 1), 130257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130257
