Happy Monday y’all! I’ve been posting a few smoothie recipes with adaptogens and you guys have been asking a TON of questions about them. Today we are going to break down what adaptogens are, who should use them and how to incorporate them into your diet the right way. 
Adaptogens are a nontoxic substance that helps the body adapt to physical & emotional stress, minimize it’s damaging effects while keeping our bodies in working order. They focus on helping the body as a whole rather than one specific function. They earned their name by growing in extreme conditions and evolving to adapt to their environment. By doing so they were able to survive and thrive in otherwise harsh conditions. If they can do that for themselves just imagine what they can do for our bodies!
Over many years, adaptogens have been proven to reduce stress and inflammation, boost immunity, stabilize moods, improve mental clarity, combat signs of aging, increase endurance, improve sleep and so much more!
When our bodies are stressed we are prone to:
- exercise less often
- emotionally eat (usually the wrong foods too)
- digestive issues (bloating, stomach upset, diarheaa
- have sleep issues
- emotional outbursts
Do any of these sound familiar? I can count at least 3 that affect me if I take on too many tasks or don’t make enough time for self care. If I go even 1 -2 weeks without exercise or meditation I feel it! I’m moody, lethargic, hell…even bloated! Adaptogens help your body physically respond in a healthy way to life’s daily stressors while ensuring it doesn’t miss a beat. Our bodies and brains are then able to thrive at their fullest potential, leaving less room for ailments and other problems to arise. When we are thriving we feel good, look good and are way more motivated!
Here is a list of a few adaptogens and what they are commonly used for: 
Who Should Take Adaptogens?
Short answer…EVERYONE! But if you’re looking for more specifics:
Anyone who has an autoimmune condition, digestive problems, inflammatory/chronic pain conditions, migraines, vascular conditions, history of cancer, diabetics, fatigue, mood disorders, adrenal issues..the list goes on! Mamas, certain adaptogens are safe to take while breastfeeding while others aren’t. Always double check before ingesting anything!
How To Incorporate Adaptogens Into Your Diet
Most adaptogens come in powder form but there are a few available in pill form. You can add adptogens to your salads, teas, coffee, smoothies, soup, oatmeal, water, juice and much more! How you take them is really up to you. I take reishi and chlorella daily in powder form. I add chlorella to my smoothies only. It has a very dark green color so I don’t recommend adding to tea..lol. I add reishi to tea and smoothies.
Check out my Easy Adaptogenic Coconut Milk Elixir here! (It’s an inexpensive dupe to Rebbl’s cold brew with less sugar. You’ll be hooked!). 
Adaptogens are great for helping your body resist the damaging affects of stress BUT you still need to be proactive in how you respond on a conscious level! There a a million ways you can keep yourself centered and in a positive space such as:
Regular physical activity.
Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi or getting a massage.
Keeping a sense of humor about things.
Socializing with family and friends.
Setting aside time for hobbies, such as reading a book, listening to music or doing whatever makes you happy!
So now that you have the breakdown of adaptogens, who should use them and how to incorporate them into your diet, how will you be using them? If you already use adaptogens, what are your go to’s? Lets chat in the comments!
