5 Supplements to Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

We all know how joyful the holiday season is supposed to be, but we don’t talk much about how stressful it can be. Between red-eye flights, last-minute shopping and awkward family gatherings, the holidays can trigger a panic attack for just about anyone. To help maintain your zen this holiday season, we’ve rounded up some wellness supplements that promote calm and balance out stress levels—even when Great Aunt Anita asks you when you’re going to get married, yet again.

A quick note before we start: As with all supplements, do your research and check in with your healthcare provider before incorporating something new into your routine.

Inositol

Sometimes called vitamin B8, inositol isn’t actually a vitamin at all. It’s a type of sugar that has multiple functions in the human body, such as regulating insulin and affecting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This is why some research has shown that supplementing inositol may help manage anxiety and promote a more positive mood. Inositol naturally occurs in fruits, beans, grains and nuts, but you can also find inositol powders that mix easily into juice, coffee or smoothies.

CBD

Cannabidiol (aka CBD) is everywhere these days, and for good reason. This cannabinoid is known to soothe anxiety and ease tension when ingested And since it’s not psychoactive, it won’t make you feel high like it’s fellow cannabinoid, THC. You can get a simple CBD tincture for dosing on the downlow, or treat yourself to a CBD-infused treat, like Lord Jones Old-Fashion Gumdrops. ‘Tis the season, after all.

Magnesium

Magnesium isn’t exactly the sexiest supplement to hit the market, but it plays a crucial role in many of our bodies’ essential functions, including how we regulate stress. This mighty mineral is also helpful for promoting deeper, more restful sleep. If visions of sugarplums are keeping you up at night, you can load up on magnesium-rich foods (like dark leafy greens, seeds, nuts and legumes), or try a magnesium supplement.

Probiotics

The research showing a strong connection between our stomachs and our brains (aka the gut-brain axis) keeps piling up, so it makes sense that the bacteria in our guts would affect how we feel. But before you reach for any old probiotic, you should know that certain strains have shown more promise than others in managing stress and anxiety.Look for strains like Bifidobacterium longum (which may reduce depression and anxiety) and Lactobacillus casei (shown to help patients with anxiety and chronic fatigue), both found in rms beauty Within Probiotic + Prebiotic.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an herb that’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, but it’s gained a lot of popularity recently as an adaptogen. Supplementing with ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and reduce stress and anxiety, making it a good option for the holiday season. We’re big fans of Moon Juice’s SuperYou Daily Stress Management, which contains ashwagandha plus three other adaptogens for managing stress.