Stress Relief: Does Ashwagandha Really Work?
In this article, I'm going to share what helped me relieve stress and relax during menopause. When my stress and mood swings were at their worst, I was an anxious ball of stress. I hated going to work, I was cranky and rude to my family, and I felt guilty for being in a foul mood. It just wasn't me. I couldn't think clearly or problem solve efficiently. I was completely miserable, all because of chronic stress. I had heard of Ashwagandha, but didn't know much about it. My friend who did know encouraged me to give it a try. I wondered: Does Ashwagandha really work for chronic stress relief? Once I tried ashwagandha, I couldn't believe how quickly it helped alleviate my stress symptoms! Here is my story…
How Does Ashwagandha Help with Chronic Stress During Menopause?
One of the miserable effects of going through menopause is the stress and mood swings. I've always been a pretty calm person; my friends and family comment that nothing gets my feathers ruffled. Most people are in awe of my ability to stay cool as a cucumber in the craziest situations. But once menopause hit me, I struggled with stress and anger issues. My mood swings were wild. I felt completely out of control. I wasn't a big fan of taking prescription drugs like Prozac or Zoloft-- many women I know have been prescribed these SSRIs for stress pain and anxiety, but they complain about some of the side effects. I hoped to combat my stress naturally, so I tried some popular remedies:
Relaxing baths
Lavender essential oil
Calm breathing and meditation
Power walks
Unfortunately, none of these typical solutions truly worked for me. While they provided a few minutes of relief, my stress never truly went away. It was incredibly frustrating. The stress and mood swings kept returning (and interfering with my marriage and family time). Until I discovered and began using Ashwagandha.
I was at the end of my rope and needed a solution. My good friend suggested Ashwagandha, and told me I could get it at our local grocery store. I found a quality Ashwagandha tincture from Herb Farm, a reputable company that specializes in high-quality tinctures. It was only $15.98 for a 1 ounce bottle. It’s also available online at herbfarm.com at a slightly higher price ($17.98 plus shipping).
That evening, I added six drops to my morning coffee and again with my evening tea. It did seem to have a calming effect for me, and I noticed an increased ability to focus on my work during the day (reading, planning lessons and grading lots of student essays) for extended periods of time. At night, my sleep was solid-- I was quick to get to sleep and no waking up in the middle of the night. I noticed an overall sense of calm and well-being. I wasn't getting stressed out anymore. I wasn’t as irritated or stressed over those small annoyances that started to bother me, like persistent noises, clothes left on the floor, or dogs jumping in my lap while I’m working. Ashwagandha worked for me!
How Does Ashwagandha Relieve Menopause Symptoms?
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen. It is believed to help the body adapt to stress and restore balance. It may also reduce cortisol levels and, as a result, lower stress levels. Some studies on Ashwagandha published by the National Institute of Health found these benefits:
Improved sleep
Better cognitive function
Increased focus
Improved memory (definitely needed that!)
Improved reaction time
Faster information processing speed
Antioxidant properties may benefit brain health
Anti-inflammatory effects may reduce joint pain
Boosts immunity
Supports weight loss for some individuals with effects on cortisol
While Ashwagandha is generally considered safe, it can cause allergic reactions in some users since it is classified as a nightshade. I have slight sensitivities to nightshades (tomatoes and bell peppers make my tongue tingle), but I noticed zero negative reactions to Ashwagandha.
Looking for Chronic Stress Relief?
The bottom line: I definitely noticed the calming effects of Ashwagandha-- especially the feeling of calm focus in the morning and relaxation at night. I plan to continue taking Ashwagandha for my stress, as well as to help with inflammation.
Gear Reader, if you are suffering from chronic stress, anxiety, and mood swings during menopause and need relief, consider Ashwagandha. At pennies per dose, it's definitely worth a try. You deserve to live your best life over the age of 50! If you want to learn more about feeling better, thriving through menopause, and kicking pain to the curb, join our email list at the Pain Free Over Fifty community. We'd love to hear from you! Wishing you less pain, more life, and much joy!
To your health,
Jennifer Kaye
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