More than one in two adults say they frequently feel stressed. This is hardly surprising, especially nowadays with the pressures imposed by society and the fast pace of life. And unfortunately, children and teenagers are not spared.
Stress is much more than a passing discomfort: for some, it is a real hindrance in daily life. Faced with this reality, many are looking for a little help to get through demanding periods. But when faced with the vast array of products on offer, it’s hard to sort through them and know which to choose: medicines, dietary supplements, essential oils, sprays, herbal teas…
Are you just looking for a simple solution that works? Discover here the options available to you, their pros and cons, so you can make an informed choice. What should you take for stress? What are the best and most commonly used stress-relievers? Find your answers here!
Understanding stress: a natural mechanism that can spiral out of control
Stress is a normal physiological reaction. When an event is perceived as a threat or particularly demanding, the body releases cortisol, a hormone that prepares the body to respond (increased heart rate, heightened alertness, etc.).
This mechanism is useful in the short term. But when it occurs too frequently, is too intense, or becomes chronic, it can disrupt the body’s overall balance: increased fatigue, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, emotional fragility, digestive discomfort, etc.
Therefore, to address this, the key is to regulate cortisol levels. To achieve this, adapting your lifestyle by incorporating regular physical activity and moments of relaxation can help, but sometimes the use of anti-stress products is necessary to speed up the return to calm.
What can you take for stress?
When it comes to stress, there are many solutions, but not all of them meet the same needs.
- Medicines offer a strong, rapid response, but they must be taken under medical supervision and are not without risk.
- Dietary supplements provide a long-term solution.
- Natural stress-relievers (essential oils, herbal teas, Bach flower remedies) offer additional, but short-term, support.
If you’re unsure what to take for stress, it’s best to opt for a gradual, personalised approach that combines several of these options, always alongside a healthy lifestyle (diet, sleep, physical activity). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Taking medication for stress
The main options
The main types of medication used to manage stress include:
- anxiolytics (such as benzodiazepines);
- certain antidepressants prescribed in specific situations.
Sometimes, other medicines may be prescribed: anti-asthenics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, hypnotics, beta-blockers, proton pump inhibitors, anticholergics, laxatives, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of medication
Although some of the medicines sometimes prescribed for stress provide rapid relief from high levels of tension, they should be used with caution and under strict medical supervision for several reasons:
- Risk of dependence on certain products
- Possible side effects (drowsiness, reduced alertness)
- A short-term approach, ill-suited to comprehensive stress management
- Some contribute to reducing resistance to stressors and increasing magnesium loss. For example, paracetamol, which is the most commonly prescribed painkiller, tends to lead to a decrease in hepatic glutathione, resulting in vulnerability to all toxic and infectious stressors and reducing our ability to resist them(1). Furthermore, stimulants, primarily caffeine(2), increase urinary magnesium loss, raise the risk of arrhythmia and exacerbate digestive problems… For their part, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), used to relieve stomach ache, or laxatives prescribed to combat constipation, inhibit magnesium absorption(3). These medicines cannot therefore be an effective response to stress, as they contribute to fuelling its vicious cycle.
Dietary supplements: a boost against stress
People looking for ways to combat stress often turn to dietary supplements. Although a balanced diet can help make up for some of the deficiency in magnesium – a mineral essential for regulating the stress hormone (cortisol) – it is still unlikely to meet the recommended daily intake, which is itself increased during periods of stress.
To compensate for this deficiency, it is recommended to consume magnesium daily through diet (which provides between 280 and 380 mg) and through dietary supplements, up to a limit of 360 mg per day, according to ANSES.
The most studied active ingredients
- Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in regulating the nervous system. A deficiency is often associated with increased sensitivity to stress.
- B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B8) help support the normal functioning of the nervous and psychological systems involved in managing stress and fatigue.
- Adaptogenic plants (ashwagandha, rhodiola, etc.) help the body adapt to and regulate its response to stress.
- Relaxing herbs (e.g. passionflower, valerian, lemon balm) are often used to promote relaxation and sleep.
Advantages
- Generally well tolerated
- Milder action than medication
- Multifactorial approach (stress + sleep + energy)
- Long-lasting effects
- No risk of dependency
Disadvantages
- Effects are not immediate (often 2 to 4 weeks)
- Quality varies depending on the formula and dosage
- Response varies from person to person
Synergia’s anti-stress dietary supplements
Perhaps you are already familiar with Synergia’s long-standing D-Stress range? These dietary supplements are based on the synergy of the most well-known active ingredients for managing stress: magnesium, B vitamins, taurine and arginine, supplemented by others depending on the desired outcome.
In terms of quality, our dietary supplements for stress are all formulated using magnesium glycerophosphate and magnesium citrate, which ensure good absorption and tolerance by the body. In practice:
In cases of chronic stress:
- Start with an intensive course of 1 to 2 sachets of D-Stress Booster per day for 1 to 2 months as required, to restore sufficient magnesium levels.
- Then, continue by taking 6 tablets a day of D-Stress Tablets to maintain normal levels. Take 2 tablets in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening for 1 month, or continue for as long as necessary. Spreading the doses throughout the day helps maintain more stable magnesium levels.
- In cases of stress linked to disturbed sleep: combine D-Stress Tablets with D-Stress Sleep, which guarantees a precise intake of magnesium and California poppy, a plant that contributes to optimal relaxation and improved sleep quality.
- If you’re experiencing stress combined with memory and concentration difficulties: combine D-Stress Tablets with D-Stress Focus, enriched with L-tyrosine and Ginkgo biloba, which improve cognitive function and memory.
For temporary stress:
Opt instead for the 10-day D-Stress Ultra-Strong intensive programme, which helps you manage stress spikes and nervousness thanks to its high-dose formula containing magnesium and rhodiola.
Natural stress-relievers: plants and essential oils
During occasional peaks of stress, natural stress-relievers such as essential oils, herbal teas and Bach flowers can be useful as a complement to standard stress management approaches (physical activity, diet, relaxation techniques and activities, etc.).
The most commonly used essential oils
- True lavender
- Petitgrain bigarade
- Roman chamomile
Advantages
- Rapid effect via the sense of smell
- Easy to use (diffusion, inhalation)
Disadvantages
- Contraindications (pregnancy, children, specific medical conditions, animals)
- Need to adhere to dosages
- Effect is often temporary
Herbal teas and Bach flower remedies
When it comes to herbal teas, the varieties most traditionally used to promote relaxation are chamomile, lime blossom and verbena. They provide a genuine moment of relaxation, but their effects are short-lived.
Bach flower remedies offer a personalised emotional approach, but there is little solid scientific evidence to support them.
Benefits
- Holistic approach to wellbeing
- Few side effects
Limitations
- Variable effectiveness
- Temporary benefits
- Requires regular use
The best stress-relievers – Frequently Asked Questions
What to take for exam stress?
In addition to a diet rich in magnesium (dried fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice or wholemeal bread), energy bars and dietary supplements for stress and concentration, such as D-Stress FOCUS, are useful. The latter helps to cope with situations demanding memory, concentration and attention during intense and prolonged intellectual effort.
What is the best anti-stress dietary supplement?
The best dietary supplement is one that contains only the essentials, with high-quality, precisely measured active ingredients. To cope with chronic stress, rely on D-Stress TABLETS. For acute stress, consider D-Stress ULTRA-STRONG. Synergia also offers D-Stress BALANCE FOR CHILDREN for restless and stressed children and teenagers (3–17 years).
What is the best natural stress reliever?
Solutions based on adaptogenic herbs (Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Rhodiola, etc.) or relaxing herbs (California poppy, Lavender, Chamomile, Passionflower, etc.) are often used in the form of essential oils, herbal teas or dietary supplements.