No matter your age, it is how you deal with stress that makes the difference. Stress occurs in everything we do. The problem is with how we control it. What is severe to one person can seem like nothing to another. However, the smallest stresses that happen over time often build up, negatively affecting your health.

Nevertheless, stress eats away, impedes, and destroys physical, emotional, and mental structures. These significant changes damage your nervous, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and immunological systems. And the consequences of such deteriorates your health, life, training, sports performance, and potential.

Ultimately, learning control is what will help mitigate stress. However, adaptogens are supplements that can help.

What are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are natural herbal medicines that originated in India. They help to reduce the negative impact and effects that stress slams on the body. Adaptogens restore balance by mediating and managing the hormones released in your body caused by mental, physical, or emotional stress.

How Adaptogens Work

Depending on how much you are stressed depends on how much adrenaline and cortisol get released. So, for instance, the higher and more persistent stress, the higher adrenaline and cortisol rise. Adrenaline and cortisol are not bad for you. It is just that too much gets released, and too often.

Adaptogens are science-based, research-proven supplements. They all work similarly. Mainly, their job is to control and suppress the release of adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones still get released into your bloodstream, just not in tidal wave amounts. So, for example, taking an adaptogen will reduce and mediate your cortisol levels if you are stressed out.

Excessive Cortisol Effects:

• Constant fatigue.
• Persistent frustration and irritability.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Headaches.
• Weight gain.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Decreased testosterone levels.
• Muscle weakness loss of strength.
• Poor recovery from training and exercise.
• Insomnia or poor sleep.
• High blood sugar.

These effects will interfere with and diminish your health, life, training, and sports performance. Taking an adaptogen helps reverse these effects so your body can function normally and progressively.

Types of Adaptogens

For the most part, adaptogens will do the same thing. But some have specific qualities.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is the best well-rounded adaptogen. It helps balance the endocrine, nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems. In addition, it helps to calm down, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and improves your sleep. Furthermore, it improves focus, memory, and concentration.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola helps to increase energy. It also helps to boost stamina, endurance, and strength pertaining to athletic training and performance. Rhodiola also assists in reducing depression and anxiety as well.

Astragalus

Astragalus is great for preventing illness and disease. For example, it enhances the function of the immune system to prevent flu and infections and reduces your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Astragalus is also a potent anti-inflammatory.

American Ginseng

American ginseng helps reduce inflammation and reduce pain in muscles and joints. It acts as an effective anti-inflammatory. However, it helps reduce stress and enhance your nervous system too.

Asian Ginseng

Asian ginseng is often found in energy drinks. It enhances focus and concentration by reducing the effects of mental and physical fatigue. It also helps boost your energy for physical training and performance.

If you are always in a fight or flight situation, also known as a sympathetic response, it will wear you down on all levels. High amounts of cortisol and adrenaline released by constant emotional thoughts, issues, or problems will damage your body.

Adaptogens are not a cure-all. However, if you are experiencing stress that is wiping you out every day, you can take them daily. There are no long-term side effects. However, learning to control your stress is your best bet so you can enjoy life. And as an athlete, perform well and up to your potential.

Before taking any adaptogen, consult your physician. If you are pregnant, taking medications, or have thyroid issues, adaptogens can negatively affect the process. So, always ask your doctor first.