Ashwagandha for Anxiety, Stress, and Burnout: A Beginner’s Guide
- Laura Lee Peters
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Feeling tired but wired? If you're powering through your days on a super fun combo of cortisol and caffeine, you feel exhausted when you get home but yet you still struggle to fall asleep — you're not alone.
Chronic stress and burnout are more common than ever before, but the good news? Nature has created a powerful remedy to help you get back on your feet.
One of my favourite herbal remedies for stress relief and burnout recovery is Ashwagandha.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb, which means it helps your body to better adapt to stress. It’s been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to improve emotional resilience & balance, while increasing energy levels.
Ashwagandha supports your nervous system by helping to regulate cortisol levels, reset your stress response, and bring you back to a steadier, more grounded version of yourself over time.
Why I Love It (Especially for Burnout)
Ashwagandha is incredibly helpful for when you’re burnt out because:
It gently calms the body without having a sedative effect.
It helps rebuild your body's stress resilience over time.
It supports your adrenals and HPA axis (the part of your brain-body connection most impacted by chronic stress).
It brings back your energy levels in a gentle, gradual way without shocking your system.
Important Note: Ashwagandha isn’t an instant fix. It can take a week or more of consistent daily use to really start feeling the effects—especially in severe cases of burnout.
Top Benefits of Ashwagandha for Stress & Nervous System Health
Lowers cortisol (your main stress hormone)
Reduces symptoms of anxiety
Improves sleep quality by resetting the stress response
Increases energy levels and mental focus
Supports hormonal balance
Boosts resilience during long-term stress or recovery from emotional trauma
A Heads-Up About the Taste
Ashwagandha has a very strong taste and smell—which is why I don’t usually recommend it in powder form unless it’s:
Really well-blended into a smoothie with strong flavours (like cacao or berries)
Or mixed with honey as part of an adaptogenic herbal paste
If you’re taste-sensitive (like me!), taking it in a capsule form is way easier.
How to Use It
The typical recommended dose is between 300–500 mg per day, which you can increase slowly if needed. Some people like taking it in the morning for energy support, while others prefer taking it at night for it's calming effects.
It’s safe to experiment with the timing—but consistency is key.
My Go-To Ashwagandha Brands
Top Favourite: Botanica Health — They use clean, bioavailable ingredients with no fillers or unnecessary additives. The absorption of their products is through the freaking roof!
Close Second: Natural Factors — A trustworthy Canadian brand with outstanding formulas. Their ashwagandha is both really effective and affordable.
Final Notes
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken—it just means your body’s been doing too much for too long without enough support. Ashwagandha is one of the tools I turn to for reducing stress levels, while rebuilding energy levels, and bringing your nervous system back online.
Make sure to start slow, stay consistent, and let your body lead.
Looking for more stress reducing foods & supplements?
If you’re building your “healing from burnout” toolkit and want to stock your kitchen with nervous system-friendly foods, herbs, and supplements like Ashwagandha and magnesium, I’ve created a super simple grocery list to help!
Further Support
If you need further support please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly at nervousystemrebel@gmail.com. It would be my pleasure to support you in any way that I can.
I believe in you with all my heart and I can't wait to share more stress relief tools with you in the near future!
Big Hugs,
Lau <3
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before adding any new supplements or herbs to your routine—especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing a medical condition. What works for one person may not work for another, so it's important to find what’s best for your unique body and needs.
Comments