When I worked in sales and operations at a health club a few years ago, I had no idea that I would transition to being a coach for others’ health goals — but here I am. It’s now been six years since I became a personal trainer and wellness advisor, and no day is the same, which keeps me really excited and energized about my work. On the other hand, the constant change can also be a lot. I’m not always on top of how well I manage the emotional and mental stressors that come with the territory, because I’m so busy.
Of course, with the holidays upon us, the next few months are going to be even more busy and stressful than usual. Whether it’s clients wanting to get in extra sessions, schedules changing because of holiday travel, or just trying to take a few days off without guilt... if I’m not careful, my mental health could easily slip. To make sure the pendulum swings more positive than negative, I started researching how supplements might be able to help. When I found Zhou Nutrition, I was instantly intrigued — not only by their affordable price points but by their ethically-sourced ingredients and high-quality manufacturing standards, too. Also, their website is really easy to navigate, which may not sound like a huge deal, but let’s be real: Nobody has time to decode a messy online shopping experience.
The Mind + Mood lineup in particular caught my eye, because it’s a fully curated collection that can help with transitions, like the holidays and the occasional schedule changes I experience. I really wanted a caffeine alternative that could help me stay focused and centered, as well as something that could help with easing my anxiety and supporting my immune system through the busy holiday season. The collection has products for each of these — Neuro-Peak, Driftoff, and Calm Now — and they all use adaptogenic herbs, which research shows might have serious health benefits. I decided to try them out, and so far, I can already tell that all three are contributing toward a promising result. I’m really excited to see how well they support me long-term and through the holidays.
Driftoff has definitely been my favorite, because it’s helped me get to bed faster, and I actually stay asleep throughout the night so my body can recover properly. It makes sense, too, because it has a calming blend of adaptogens (including L-tryptophan, melatonin, and GABA) that help support healthy sleep cycles. I haven’t woken up with any grogginess either, which helps with that awful feeling of needing to instantly reach for a cup of coffee.
I’ve also been reaching for Calm Now throughout my day and can say it really does help in those peak times of stress when I just need to feel a bit more relaxed and keep my anxiety in check. It’s formulated with mood-balancing ingredients like B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. And its blend of lemon balm extract and passion flower is also said to keep you feeling cool and collected in social situations, which is going to be paramount closer to those holiday get-togethers. As for my issues with focus and concentration, Neuro-Peak has been a great tool to help me keep my clarity. It contains ginkgo biloba, an herb that’s been used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine to help with cognitive function.
When I’m having a tough time, I become irritable, I often lack patience, and it’s easier to identify with negative feelings and emotions. But when my mental health is solid, I’m able to stay in the present, set realistic goals for the day, and just be kind to myself. Overall, Zhou’s Mind + Mood supplements have helped me keep healthy boundaries in check. I’m always working to quickly recognize when I’m overextending myself, and I encourage myself to say no to things when I need to without feeling guilty. All of that ladders up to having a strong mental-health game — something everyone can benefit from before the new year.
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