With so much going on in our lives and around us, it’s normal to have moments of stress and overwhelm. 

Coming back to a sense of calm often starts with the small ways you care for yourself each day, like how you nourish your body, how you move, and how you create space to slow down and be present. Over time, supportive habits, along with certain herbs and nutrients, can help you feel more balanced and at ease.

Finding Your Way Back to Mental Clarity

At times, it can feel like your mind is moving in too many directions at once. When stress builds, you might notice it becoming a little harder to focus, stay present, or feel like yourself. 

These moments are a natural part of life, especially during busy or demanding seasons. 

Finding your way back to clarity often begins with small, supportive shifts in your daily routine. Gentle practices like mindfulness, regular movement, and creating space for rest can all help you feel more grounded. 

Alongside these habits, certain herbs and nutrients can play a role in supporting your mood and how your body adapts to everyday stressors.

Nutrients and Herbs to Help Support Calm & Less Stress

Types of herbs often used in traditional wellness practices are adaptogens, nervines, and natural nootropics. 

Adaptogens are known for their ability to help the body adjust to everyday stressors.

Nervines, on the other hand, are herbs that have a soothing effect on the nervous system, helping support a calm mood. Natural nootropics are herbs and botanicals traditionally used to support cognitive functions, including focus, memory, creativity, or motivation. 

Including these herbs as part of your daily routine, whether in teas, tinctures, or other formats, can be a simple, natural way to encourage a sense of calm and focus. 

● L-Theanine: This amino acid, found primarily in green and black tea and some mushrooms, can help ease occasional anxiety and stress levels while supporting mood and cognitive function.

● Rhodiola Root: This nootropic and adaptogenic herb supports cognitive function and can support the body’s ability to manage stressors. You can find this and other herbs in some of our customer-favorite herbal blends below, as well as in a stand-alone tincture. 

● Ashwagandha Root: Used in traditional Ayurveda for centuries, Ashwagandha Root may help to support healthy stress levels and support the body’s natural homeostasis.

● Valerian Root: This root is considered a nervine — one of a group of plants that are traditionally known to have a soothing and supporting effect on the mind and nervous system.

● Lemon Balm Leaf: As a nervine herbal, this tincture may support a healthy mood, calm and relaxation, and provide stress support.

● Holy Basil Leaf: Holy Basil Leaf (also known as Tulsi), is an adaptogenic herb that has historically been used to maintain emotional and physical health. It may help your body deal with stressors (physical, mental, emotional) while promoting general well-being.

Alongside adaptogenic, nootropic, and nervine herbs, certain nutrients can also help support calm. For example, magnesium citrate is a mineral that can help support a calm mood while helping to regulate the body’s response to stress. 

Incorporating magnesium can be as simple as adding a daily supplement, enjoying a calming tea, or choosing foods rich in these nutrients. 

Over time, these small, consistent steps can help you find calm and feel ready to approach your day with clarity.

Mindfulness Practices to Keep Calm

Besides supplementing with herbs and other nutrients that support less stress, there are also day-to-day activities you can incorporate into your daily routine.

Meditation & Gratitude

Meditation, breathwork, or simply allowing yourself a minute to sit in silence and focus on gratitude can help you get in alignment to feel more at peace. MaryRuth is a big proponent of getting yourself into a gratitude frequency, and you might be surprised how taking a moment to feel thankful can make you feel.

Movement & Exercise

You don’t necessarily need to do some hardcore workout to feel the benefits! Even light aerobic exercise such as yoga or walking can help you feel more focused and less stressed.

Moving your body, even just 30 minutes per day can make a difference, as well as incorporating a short stretching routine. For simple tips to create a routine that works for you, see our 5 Tips to Create a Workout Routine That Works for You.

Prioritize Sleep

Quality, restful sleep is foundational for your recovery and cognitive health. Having a go-to wind-down nighttime routine and set bedtime you try to stick to is a great way to ensure that you’re setting yourself up for success.