From work to relationships, stress is all around us. It’s not a matter of avoiding it - that’s just unrealistic. Rather, it’s about finding healthy ways to cope with stress. After all, it can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health if left unchecked.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great ways to manage stress - including magnesium vs ashwagandha for stress. We’ve seen so many online conversations comparing and contrasting the two, so what is better for stress, ashwagandha or magnesium? Let’s find out together!
Ashwagandha has surged in popularity recently as an adaptogen that supports your body’s stress response, essentially making you more “resilient” when faced with stress.
Magnesium, on the other hand, influences more than 300 unique bodily processes, including your stress response. It erases cortisol and regulates neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to create a sense of calm.
We’ll explore the possibility of combining these two for the best of both worlds, but if we had to just recommend one solution, it would be magnesium because stress support is just the tip of the iceberg. Discover the stress-busting benefits of magnesium soak at Flewd Stesscare today!
The Impact of Stress
Stress is an unavoidable part of life, and it’s actually a healthy bodily response when faced with challenges or threats. This is your body’s flight or fight response in a nutshell.
While this defense mechanism kept our ancestors alive, chronic stress can wear down the body and leave you feeling drained or overwhelmed. Stress today is rarely the result of life-or-death situations. It’s conflicts with others, work responsibilities, family matters, etc.
You’re probably all too familiar with the physical toll of stress - tense muscles, headaches, digestive issues, and constant fatigue. The mental side of things sucks, too. Stress clouds judgment, hampers focus, and heightens anxiety.
Chronic stress does much more than just disrupt your day-to-day life, though. It can lead to long-term health issues like high blood pressure, weakened immunity, and increased risk of depression. It’s no wonder stress feels like an impossible cycle to break.
The good news, though, is there are plenty of strategies and tools you have at your disposal for taking control of stress and stopping its harmful impact on your body and mind. Two of those are magnesium vs ashwagandha for stress, so let’s unpack the role each plays below.
What is Magnesium?
This essential mineral influences over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Some of those include muscle relaxation, nerve signaling, and energy production.
We’ve written extensively about the magnesium muscle recovery connection, magnesium and endometriosis, and more. But physical benefits aside, the impact magnesium can have on your mental wellbeing is particularly intriguing.
So, does magnesium help with stress? As a matter of fact, it’s one of the best ways to cope with stress. It regulates cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and can calm the nervous system, improve sleep quality, and support a more balanced mood.
Unfortunately, though, there’s a vicious cycle associated with magnesium deficiency and stress. Does stress deplete magnesium? Yes. When you’re stressed out, your body responds by using up its magnesium stores.
This leaves you deficient in this vital mineral - and as a result, stress can really wreak havoc on your body. This sucks what little magnesium you have left, creating a stress spiral that seems impossible to break.
It’s not, though. The answer can be as simple as incorporating our stress relief bath soak into your routine. We’ll explain how taking a bath relieves stress shortly. Let’s introduce the other half of the magnesium vs ashwagandha for stress comparison, first.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha has deep roots in Ayurvedic medicine, often referred to as an adaptogen since it helps the body adapt to stress. The herb has been used for centuries to support resilience against mental and physical challenges, and it’s more popular today than ever before.
It works by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is where the body’s stress-response system lives. It helps regulate cortisol levels to reduce the intensity of stress responses.
Meanwhile, ashwagandha also enhances GABA activity in the brain to promote a sense of calm and focus. Beyond stress relief, the herb has been linked to improved energy levels, better sleep, and enhanced cognitive function.
You’ll find ashwagandha supplements in powdered root, capsule, or tincture forms. It pairs really well with other stress-management practices to create a holistic approach to well-being. So can I take magnesium and ashwagandha together for the best of both worlds?
More on that in a moment. Let’s take a closer look at magnesium vs ashwagandha for stress side by side first to figure out which has an edge where.
So What is Better for Stress, Ashwagandha or Magnesium?
So what is better for stress, ashwagandha or magnesium? Each has its place, and the truth is, it might make sense to include both in your arsenal to keep stress at bay.
However, magnesium is definitely the more versatile solution and can produce immediate results, whereas ashwagandha is a more long-term approach to enhancing your body’s stress response.
Immediate vs Long-Term Stress Relief
The biggest difference between magnesium vs ashwagandha for stress is in how quickly they work. Magnesium works quickly to lift stress off your shoulders by calming the nervous system and lowering cortisol levels. Many report feeling a difference in just hours.
On the other hand, ashwagandha requires consistent use over several weeks to provide noticeable effects. That doesn’t mean it’s ineffective - you’ll just need to set your expectations and commit to using it for the long haul.
Mechanisms of Action
There are nuances in how each of these works to relieve stress, too. Magnesium regulates cortisol and increases GABA activity in the brain to relax both the body and mind.
It also reduces the physical symptoms of stress, such as muscle tension and headaches, through its direct effects on muscle function and energy production.
Wait, can stress cause sore muscles? As a matter of fact, this is one of the most overlooked symptoms of stress! That’s why so many healing bath recipes are designed for both stress and soreness. The two go hand in hand.
Now, since ashwagandha is an adaptogen it works a bit differently by balancing the HPA axis. This stabilizes your body’s response to chronic stress, essentially reducing the overproduction of stress hormones and enhancing resilience.
This is an important distinction between magnesium vs ashwagandha for stress: magnesium targets physiological stress responses whereas ashwagandha really just addresses the systemic effects of prolonged stress exposure.
Possible Side Effects
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows in looking at magnesium and ashwagandha for stress relief. Each can produce undesirable effects in some cases.
Fortunately, the only concerns of magnesium are associated with oral consumption through powders, pills, and other supplements. We talk about this in our comparison of topical magnesium vs oral, but many report digestive discomfort.
For what it’s worth, magnesium absorbs poorly when taken orally anywhere - you have to take a massive serving size since most of what you consume is excreted as waste. This is why topical supplementation is the way to go.
Wait, does magnesium soak into skin? It sure does, and the magnesium bath soak formulations we’ve devised are a perfect way to fight stress head-on. More on that later.
As for ashwagandha, the adaptogen is fairly well-tolerated but may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort or drowsiness in some individuals. There are also concerns about interactions with medications so be sure to account for that if you’re on a prescription.
Additional Health Benefits
We know you came here wondering, what is better for stress ashwagandha or magnesium? But the truth is, each of these brings a myriad of benefits to the table beyond stress management.
For example, magnesium aids in muscle recovery, heart health, and better sleep. Magnesium helps with menstrual cramps too! It even supports bone density and energy production. Remember, it influences over 300 biochemical reactions - it’s not something you can do without!
In contrast, ashwagandha is known for additional cognitive benefits like improved focus and memory. It also supports immune health and hormonal balance. While it’s not quite as versatile as magnesium (nothing is, really), it’s still a dynamic addition to any wellness regimen.
Ease of Use
Convenience is one aspect where ashwagandha actually has an edge over magnesium since we just touched on how poorly absorbed oral supplements are.
That means to harness the stress-busting properties of magnesium you’ll need to commit to regular soaks using epsom salt vs magnesium flakes. You could try other topicals like lotions or balms, but soaks provide a more uniform distribution of the mineral throughout the body.
Plus, the best magnesium soak provides the body with anti-stress nutrients for up to 5 days - so even just 1-2 baths a week is all it takes. We’ll talk more about how to use bath soak later on.
But as for ashwagandha, it’s readily available in a variety of supplements - capsules, powders, or tinctures. You can use it daily as part of your routine to keep stress at bay.
So, Which is Better: Magnesium vs Ashwagandha for Stress?
So, what is better for stress, ashwagandha or magnesium? You can see where each plays a role in influencing a healthier response to stress. It’s also clear that they work differently, and this isn’t necessarily an apples-to-apples comparison.
Magnesium is best for immediate stress relief as it works right away to ease physical tension and regulate the nervous system more optimally. Even if you don’t struggle with stress, there’s a way you could benefit from incorporating it into your wellness routine since it’s so versatile.
On the other hand, ashwagandha shines in long-term stress management and emotional resilience. They serve different purposes in this sense - so can I take magnesium and ashwagandha together?
Can I Take Magnesium and Ashwagandha Together for the Best of Both Worlds?
Definitely! Combining magnesium and ashwagandha can create a synergistic approach to managing stress since they work through different mechanisms, essentially complementing each other’s strengths.
Magnesium targets the nervous system and muscle relaxation, helping to calm immediate physical stress responses. Meanwhile, ashwagandha works around the clock to regulate cortisol levels and enhance emotional resilience in the long run.
It’s as easy as doing some research and finding an ashwagandha supplement you can take on a daily basis and incorporating magnesium soaks into your routine a few times a week.
We recommend taking ashwagandha earlier in the day since it supports cognitive performance to some degree, helping you stay alert and focused at work or when running errands. Then, take magnesium in the evening to unwind and ease into a deep, restful sleep.
While we can’t help you with ashwagandha, we can introduce you to the most powerful magnesium solution on the market: right here at Flewd Stresscare.
Put Stress on Notice Today at Flewd Stresscare!
At Flewd Stresscare, we redefine relaxation with thoughtfully crafted magnesium bath soaks designed to target stress at its root. Our premium ingredients, clean formulas, and science-backed blends make it easy to reclaim balance in your life.
So what is a bath soak? More specifically, why is magnesium soak good for you from a stress-relief perspective? These are not to be confused with bath bombs (learn more about bath soak vs bath bomb in our blog). They combine magnesium with other powerful nutrients for therapeutic effects.
For example, you can use a hot bath for anxiety when life gets hectic, or you can support faster recovery with a muscle bath soak. Here are the different formulations we’ve developed for you:
- Sads Smashing Soak: A powerhouse combination of vitamins B3 and B6, paired with natural mood enhancers, works to lift emotional weight and brighten your outlook, all while relaxing in soothing waters.
- Insomnia Ending Soak: Infused with L-carnitine and calming botanical extracts, this soak helps you transition into deep, restful sleep, leaving you refreshed and restored for the day ahead.
- Panic Crushing Soak: Crafted with omega-3s and stress-balancing minerals to calm frazzled nerves and stabilizes your body’s response to overwhelming moments, providing a sense of peace.
- Rage Squashing Soak: Vitamin B12 and key adaptogens help reduce irritability, offering a cooling relief for heated emotions, so you can relax and reset.
- Ache Erasing Soak: Combines anti-inflammatory vitamin C and D with essential omega-3s to target muscle tension and soreness, easing the aches of daily stress.
Just fill your bathtub with warm water, empty an entire packet, and indulge in the ultimate relaxation for 15-30 minutes. You’ll feel like a whole new person by the time you get out!
Our blog has tips on how much bath soak to use, how long to soak in a magnesium bath, how to make a magnesium bath soak, and resources like the disadvantages of bath bombs or why is a hot bath good for sore muscles.
But at this point, it’s time to see for yourself what a difference a magnesium bath soak can make in supporting a healthier, happier life. Treat yourself to tranquility at Flewd Stresscare today!
Wrapping Up Our Comparison of Magnesium vs Ashwagandha for Stress
So what is better for stress ashwagandha or magnesium? Hopefully, this comparison of magnesium vs ashwagandha for stress has left you with a confident understanding of the role each plays in easing the physical and mental turmoil stress creates.
Magnesium works right away, while ashwagandha is a more long-term approach. Together, they create a well-rounded approach to tackling both the physical and emotional toll of stress.
But whether you’re looking for stress support or the best bath soak for sore muscles, remember that Flewd Stresscare has you covered with proven solutions to live a healthier, happier life.
Don’t let stress dictate your life any longer. Take control with our soaks at Flewd Stresscare!
