Herbal remedies like adaptogens, which help neutralize your body’s reaction to stressors over time, can also deserve a spot in your calming routine. The only issue with adaptogens is their gradual effects take a while to kick in, and you need to take them for a while consistently before you feel a difference. “It’s soothing and especially helpful for those who are feeling ‘wired and tired’ and stressed,”* integrative physician Cindy Tsai, M.D., previously told mbg. When combined, these ingredients work to deliver a quick sense of calm amid the craziness while helping build a solid foundation of long-term stress resilience. “Taking calm+ daily helps me get through stressful situations—a screaming toddler, a stressful meeting, or a turbulent flight—with a little bit more ease,” says mbg’s co-founder and co-CEO Colleen Wachob. “[It] has a palpable calming effect on my body and mind that lasts all day long.” calm+ can also be taken at any time of day or night. Holistic chef Laura Lea opts to take the supplement before bed, as that’s when her mind typically races the most. “After three weeks of consistently using calm+ in the early evenings, I felt less stressed around bedtime, and it’s easier for me to shut my brain down,” she notes. Reviewer Martha Fischler opts to take hers in the afternoon on days when she knows she has a lot on her plate. “When I do, the supplement helps me approach challenges and obstacles from a more levelheaded place. It helps quiet down my feelings of anxiousness and frustration, freeing me up to make good decisions and get through the day with a positive mood,”* she notes. All in all, calm+ customer Mark W. writes in his review, “This formula is phenomenal for improving one’s response to the daily stressors of life that are ubiquitous in today’s world.”* Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
