Stress – we all have it, we all know what it is, and we all know what it can do to our moods and bodies. Whether it stems from long days at the office, screaming little ones at home, or just being overwhelmed by life, stress can take its toll. As a result, a person becomes overworked, and stress-related tension builds. Our bodies are equipped to handle stress in small doses, but when it becomes long-term or too much, our brain releases stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) that trigger your body's "fight or flight" mode. 

These heart-pumping hormones can seriously affect your body from head to toe. In fact, approximately 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress, including gut issues, chest pain, anxiety, heart problems, depression, and many more. This can be especially problematic if you are battling stress for a long period of time. Although there isn't a magic pill to make all stress disappear (we wish there were), there are ways to combat stress and help get you back to good.

Ashwagandha For Stress Relief

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an evergreen plant with yellow flowers native to Southern Asia and North Africa. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, an herb that improves an individual's ability to cope with stress. Also referred to as "Indian Ginseng" and "Winter cherry," Ashwagandha has been used for over three centuries in Ayurvedic medicine (the traditional system of medicine in India) to decrease anxiety, increase energy, and improve overall health.

This non-toxic, herbal cure-all has many health benefits when digested, but it's best known for relieving stress due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to regulate cortisol, the hormone released by the adrenal glands when you are under stress. Ashwagandha helps activate GABA, or Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, the receptors in the brain that blocks signals of anxiety and stress. Ashwagandha also contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that releases serotonin and helps elevate mood.

The name ashwagandha itself translates to "smell of the horse," which refers to the herb's scent and potential to increase strength and vitality. And we could all use a little of that. Checkable's Stress Less Ashwagandha supplements are made of a proprietary blend of ashwagandha + Black Pepper for stress relief and mental clarity. We use 1300 mg of natural organic ashwagandha root and 10 mg of organic black pepper to help the body absorb and get the full effect of the ashwagandha. When taken daily, this wonder plant should have you smiling and stress-free in no time.