Stress... and the Power of Adaptogens

Earlier this year, we explored the 7 Pillars of Health—covering everything from sunshine and sleep to mental wellbeing and movement. And while each of those pillars stood tall in their own right, there was one recurring theme that quietly weaved its way through every single one of them: stress.

We touched on how stress impacts sleep. How it affects our emotional balance. How it messes with our energy, mood, hormones, and digestion. And while I’ve shared a bunch of helpful strategies along the way, many of you have asked me:
“How can you help with stress in clinic?”

The good news? After 20+ years as a Naturopath and Nutritionist, I’ve built up quite the toolkit to support stressed-out systems. And one of my favourite tools to lean on—especially in these times of constant ‘busy’—is a powerful group of herbs known as adaptogens.

What Are Adaptogens?

As the name suggests, adaptogens help the body adapt to stress. Not just the obvious kind of stress (deadlines, meetings, traffic), but also the silent, sneaky stressors like:

• Environmental toxins
• Overtraining and physical pressure
• Long-term illness or chronic inflammation
• Genetic predispositions (yep, your cells feel stress too!)

Adaptogens work by supporting your adrenal glands—those two little powerhouses that sit on top of your kidneys and produce your body’s key stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. When the adrenals are running on empty, or overfiring 24/7, that’s when symptoms start to show:
🔹 Tension headaches
🔹 Heart palpitations
🔹 Fatigue and burnout
🔹 Poor sleep or anxiety
🔹 That wired-but-tired feeling

The beauty of adaptogens is their versatility. They can help calm an overactive stress response—or gently stimulate a sluggish one. That’s why I never recommend a one-size-fits-all formula. I always match the herb to the person, not the symptom.

A Few Favourites (and Why They Work)

Each adaptogen has its own personality. Some are grounding and calming, others energising and uplifting. For example:

• Withania (Ashwagandha) – Soothing, balancing, ideal for chronic stress or burnout
• Siberian Ginseng – Energising without overstimulation, great for endurance and immune support
• Rhodiola – Improves focus and resilience, often used for brain fog and fatigue
• Holy Basil – Calms the mind, great for anxious types or emotional stress
• Schisandra – A liver-loving adaptogen for stress and hormonal balance

I’ll be spotlighting more of these herbs over on Instagram this week—so keep an eye out if you’re curious to learn which adaptogen might suit your needs.

Before You Dash Out to the Health Food Store…

I know some of you will be tempted to race out and grab a giant tub of adaptogens. But before you do, ask yourself:

1. What’s actually causing my stress?
   Is it a demanding job, overcommitting socially, or training for a marathon? Not every stressor can be removed—but being clear about the source helps direct your solution.

2. Would a custom formula support me better?
   A professionally tailored mix takes into account your lifestyle, energy patterns, health goals, and even your temperament. No off-the-shelf blend can do that.

If you don’t have access to a naturopath or herbalist, choose one product at a time and monitor how you feel. More isn’t always better when it comes to herbs—especially ones that influence your nervous and endocrine systems.

This Month’s Challenge: Marie Kondo Your Stress

Let’s be honest—some of the stress in our lives is optional. So, this month, your challenge is to audit your stress and declutter the things you can control.
Ask yourself:

• What could I delegate?
• Where can I ask for help or share the load?
• Which tasks drain me that could be dropped entirely?

Maybe it’s organising a ride share once a week for your kids, switching to online grocery delivery, or cutting your daily coffee down from four to two. (Yes, caffeine is a stimulant—and yes, it adds to adrenal stress.)

📓 Take 10 minutes this week to write down your biggest stressors. Circle the ones you can change. Then action just one.

Progress over perfection, always.

💬 I’d love to hear how you go—come chat to me on Instagram and share what stressors you’re clearing out of your life. And keep your eyes peeled this week for more on my favourite adaptogens and how they can support you.