Vitamins to help sleep and stress

Your sleeping habits and your mood may be directly connected. Whether you're struggling to get enough sleep at night or feeling a little blue during the daytime, certain sleep and mood supplements may help. If you're searching for vitamins to help with sleep and stress support, The Vitamin Shoppe has you covered. Find out how the following mood support supplements and herbs may help to encourage peace and relaxation.

• Melatonin

  Melatonin supplements are traditionally used to encourage restful sleep and healthy circadian rhythms. Your body produces certain amounts of melatonin in the pineal gland. In the daytime, your melatonin levels remain inactive while other hormones such as cortisol help to keep you focused and awake. After the sun goes down, a healthy body naturally releases melatonin to signal that it's time to relax and unwind. Factors like a poor diet, high-stress levels, and fluctuations between the seasons of the year may have a negative impact on the amount of melatonin your body produces. Supplementing your diet with melatonin could help you get a more restful night's sleep.

• L-theanine

  An amino acid commonly found in tealeaves and certain mushrooms, L-theanine encourages relaxation without drowsiness. The amino acid can produce a calming influence that may lead to increased alertness and focus. L-theanine may also help support a healthy mood, and supplements containing the substance can also be beneficial for relaxation.

• Mucuna

  Also known as the 'dopa bean,' Mucuna is an herbal supplement that's been used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. The tropical bean is native to regions of Africa, India, and Southern China, and supplements containing Mucana are often used to encourage balanced dopamine levels, an elevated mood, and increased mental focus.

• Ashwagandha

  Another popular herb that's been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is derived from the roots of a plant. The herb is often used to support emotional wellbeing, healthy sleep cycles, and increased calmness. Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen, which is a natural substance that may help the body adapt to stress.

• Sam-e

  Also referred to as ademetionine or S-adenosylmethionine, sam-e is a molecule produced naturally in the body. Like melatonin, there are certain factors that can reduce sam-e levels, such as low levels of methionine, folate, or vitamin B-12. In some individuals, natural sam-e may be reduced so supplemental sam-e can be used to bring levels back into a normal range. Supplements containing sam-e are often taken to support mood and and liver health and may also help to relieve temporary inflammation associated with exercise or overuse.

Where to buy mood tablets

Quit counting sheep at night and struggling to get through the day. Browse The Vitamin Shoppe's wide selection of mood calming supplements today. Find vitamins to help with sleep and stress based on your preferences, including non-GMO, sugar-free, vegan, and gluten-free options. Visit our online sleep and mood store, or head to your nearest The Vitamin Shoppe location to talk to one of our Health Enthusiasts today.