Content created in partnership with Thompson's
Managing stress levels and getting enough sleep is a daily challenge for most of us. Our too-busy lives – combined with the added mental strain of Covid-19 – has left even the most upbeat among us feeling frazzled, overwhelmed and strung out.
But according to avid gardener, chef and author Emma Galloway nothing beats getting out among nature to ease the mind and boost wellbeing. The Raglan local is passionate about growing her own food, cooking it with love, and harnessing the power of the great outdoors to keep herself and her family grounded.
“There are huge health benefits in eating seasonally and growing your own organic food, and I also find it incredibly therapeutic,” says the mother of two and author of award-winning recipe book and food blog, My Darling Lemon Thyme.
“Nature is a great way to de-stress and unwind - putting your feet and hands on the earth grounds you when you’re feeling overwhelmed or having a bad day. A lot of us, particularly mothers, are carrying a huge mental load at the moment and getting outside is a powerful way to address that.”
Nervous tension, brain fog and headaches are some of the all-too-familiar feelings triggered by stress, and it can really affect your sleep. Emma keeps these at bay not just by growing her own food, but also by cooking it (“a great active meditation”), breathwork and walking.
“I’m also a big fan of adaptogens – plant-based ingredients known to support our body’s reaction to stress and help us adapt to stressors better.”
Ashwagandha (aka winter cherry) is a rockstar adaptogen, and one of Emma’s favourites. An ancient herb grown in Asia and Africa, it’s been used throughout the ages to support the body during the toughest of times (whether that’s being chased by a tiger or just having too much on your “to do” list). Ashwagandha doesn’t grow easily here but luckily Thompson’s the master herbalists have products jam-packed with it. And with over 70 years of experience crafting high quality herbal formulas, they know their stuff.
Stress & focus
Stress is incredibly common these days, and it can be incredibly pervasive into other areas of our life as well, such as our ability to stay energised throughout the day or remember important things. Thompson’s Ashwagandha Stress + Focus is a unique, vegan-friendly blend of Ashwagandha and Bacopa, providing dual benefit: helps the body adapt to stress and supports brain health & mental clarity, based on traditional Western herbal & Ayurvedic practice. Thompson’s Ashwagandha extract is measured for its active constituents (Withanolides) for quality-assured peace of mind.
In case you don’t know much about Ashwagandha, also known as ‘Indian ginseng’ is traditionally used in Ayurvedic practice and is considered by many complementary healthcare practitioners as ‘the herb for the modern age’ due to its wide-ranging level of activity, including brain function support. Ashwagandha is widely considered to be an Adaptogen, which helps the body to cope with stress due to the presence of active constituents known as Withanolides.
Stress & sleep
Another option for Kiwis who are finding it hard to sleep due to stress is Thompson’s Ashwagandha Stress + Sleep which contains Ashwagandha, Lavender Oil and Passionflower, making it the perfect tonic to support a restful sleep and relaxation. Also vegan-friendly, this supplement has no added gluten, lactose, nuts, shellfish, dairy, eggs, fish, sesame seeds or soya beans.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) is a herb used traditionally in Western herbal practice to help support stress levels in the body. The essential oil from the flowers is the active component in Lavender.
Also found in Thompson’s Ashwagandha Stress + Sleep is Passionflower (Passiflora Incarnata), an herb used in traditional Western herbal practise known to support healthy sleeping patterns.
Emotional balance
St John’s Wort is another heavy hitter, and again Thompson’s has you covered with their One-A-Day St John’s Wort 4000mg, which packs a punch in supporting healthy emotional balance and nervous system health. The aerial parts of St John’s Wort contain the active constituents known as hypericin and hyperforin.
These herbs can play a key role in helping us adapt to stress, and while we don’t grow all of them in New Zealand, Emma says our gardens are full of plenty of easy wins that can work alongside Thompson’s herbal blends.
“Lavender is one that grows everywhere. Place it next to your bed, press it into shortbread or freeze it in ice cubes.”
Lavender is extremely powerful in supporting an active mind to calm down, and considering winding down before bed can be difficult for so many of us, we should probably use it more. But herbs aren’t the only tricks Emma pulls out of her hat for a peaceful slumber.
“If I’ve been eating well and getting enough fresh air and exercise, I sleep much better. Turning off screens and artificial light (that’s phones too!) well before bedtime is a must, and having a bath is a great ritual to incorporate into your evening routine.”
Keen to sleep better and shake off the shackles of stress?
To find out more visit Thompson’s the Master Herbalists at thompsonsherbals.co.nz.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional. Integria Healthcare, Auckland NZ
