Our nutritionalist James Dixon examines 8 herbs for happiness as he seeks to find the best adaptogenic ingredients for mental wellbeing and stress relief.
Modern life is stressful; it is anxiety inducing. Depression is widespread. I don’t think that these are too controversial a set of statements – there is a wealth of data backing them up.
There are many causes – fatigue, overstimulation, modern economics, social media, poor diet, and so on – and there are many cures – unplugging from social media, taking time for yourself, watching what you eat, maintaining an active lifestyle, and so on.
Today, I want to talk to you about a very specific form of cure – or, rather, one element of what should be a broader, more holistic approach to keeping your stress levels down and your happiness levels high. I am, of course, talking about adaptogens, a set of herbs with some quite profound, proven health benefits – some might describe them as herbs for happiness.
Adaptogens in a nutshell
Adaptogens are having a bit of time in the spotlight as modern science explores and often confirms their benefits – benefits long touted in more traditional forms of medicine, like Ayurvedic treatment, an ancient healing practice originating from the Indian subcontinent.
The supplement market is paying attention. Indeed, it is driving this newfound push towards adaptogens. Their healing properties have been recruited into many high-quality supplements across a diverse range of areas, whilst anyone with WI-FI access is suddenly able to access them.
Despite their pedigree and the mysticism with which many practitioners might like to cloak them, there is nothing too mysterious about adaptogens.
They are quite simple and straightforward, actually.
In short, they are botanicals – plants, roots, herbs – that aid the body in better resisting and adapting to stressors. They contribute to overall homeostasis maintenance – they keep you balanced, in equilibrium. All of which leads to keeping you ‘happy’.
This means a greater resilience to stress. I can’t overstate how important this is. Stress is one of the leading causes of mental health concerns, it is a contributing factor to most chronic diseases and health problems, and yet is perfectly manageable using a few simple lifestyle hacks.