Tackling Stress Symptoms

We toss the word “stress” around often, usually without exploring what it really means. In a 2023 study, 38 percent of Canadians reported stress impacting their daily lives. In 2024, 33 percent of U.S. parents reported high levels of stress in the past month compared with 20 percent of other adults. And almost 50 percent of Canadians say they are more stressed this year than they were the year before. 

Numbers like these paint a clear picture: stress isn’t just a passing feeling, it’s becoming part of everyday life for many people. For parents, its impact shows up in juggling daycare drop-offs, toddler soccer class, the rising costs of living, and the constant mental load of managing a household so you don’t run out of toilet paper. Unlike short-term stress, which can motivate us to get things done, chronic stress builds layer upon layer until it starts affecting sleep, mood, and overall health. The upward trend is also telling—if nearly half of Canadians feel more stressed this year than last, it suggests that stress is not only common but intensifying, making tools for resilience and recovery more important than ever.

The Epidemic of Stress

Back in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified stress as “the health epidemic of the 21st century,” — and that was before a global pandemic! Add in the current climate and economic crises, and our collective psyche is definitely frayed. Stress puts our bodies into fight-or-flight mode in a high-alert state of being. 

The numbers are astonishing, especially when you think about all the things stress causes: inflammation and immune suppression, cognitive disturbances, insomnia and brain fog, and irritability. Chronic stress can also be at the root of more serious health concerns including heart disease, impaired glucose regulation, and disruptions in blood pressure control.

For parents, stress can feel especially heavy. The daily juggle of work, childcare, household responsibilities, and financial pressures leaves little room for recovery (especially when none of us are getting much sleep!). Even when we push through, stress often shows up in short tempers or difficulty being present for those developing minds that need us so very much. Over time, this constant undercurrent of strain can make it harder to stay calm and model resiliency for our kids.
 

Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that functions as the body’s stress hormone. Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol plays a part in regulating metabolism, blood sugar, and, of course, the body’s response to stress. But how? 

When you’re stressed, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis tells your adrenal glands to release cortisol. Cortisol then tells the liver to send glucose into your bloodstream, which is that boost of quick energy you feel to give you the ability to either duke it out (fight) or run away (flight). During this period, cortisol tells the body to stop a number of other functions, like digestion, so all your energy is saved for the immediate threat—of course, my body can’t tell if the immediate threat is a mound of laundry that needs to get done, or a bear attack. 

Once that bear attack (or piles of laundry, same thing?) is over, cortisol levels naturally readjust, helping the body return to its baseline and restoring normal function. And while cortisol is essential, levels that are too high or too low can cause problems. High cortisol contributes to weight gain, impairment of glucose regulation and blood pressure control, and disruptions in sleep and mood. Low cortisol levels lead to fatigue, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and sometimes a craving for salt—potato chips anyone? 

The trouble is, most of us aren’t facing one-off bear attacks. We’re living with constant, low-level stressors that keep cortisol flowing day after day, so instead of spiking briefly and then returning to normal, cortisol stays elevated. As a parent, for me this looks like running on empty, catching every cold my toddler brings home, struggling to sleep even though I’m exhausted, or feeling irritable over small things. Over time, this cycle of “always on” can make it harder for the body to reset: stress breeds more stress. Rest, movement, and meditation can help bring cortisol back into check, but we can’t always do it on our own. That’s where products like AOR’s Cortisol Adapt come into play. 

The Benefits of AOR’s Cortisol Adapt 

AOR’s Cortisol Adapt is a well-rounded stress management formula designed to address the impact of chronic stress on the body. Cortisol Adapt’s ingredient list supports neurocognitive function and is a source of antioxidants, combining well-known botanical stress-relievers with adaptogenic mushroom extract, and using proprietary extracts for the best absorption, bioavailability, and clinical function. 

Some of those key ingredients include bacopa, cordyceps, and ashwagandha. Bacopa is a creeping wetland herb used in Ayurveda that has been connected to enhanced brain function and reduced stress levels. Cordyceps is a family of fungi used in various traditional wellness practices and is recognized for its role in supporting the immune system and providing antioxidant benefits. Cordyceps’ antioxidant properties help to reduce the enhanced oxidative stress on the body that has been linked to chronic psychological stress.

The real star in AOR’s Cortisol Adapt is ashwagandha, in the form of Sensoril®, which helps reduce the symptoms of stress, such as fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, and inability to concentrate. Unlike other proprietary forms of ashwagandha, Sensoril uses both the root and leaves of the plant, and is known for its particularly calming and relaxing influence. These ingredients, along with proprietary blends CurQfen® (for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties), and Relora® (for stress and mood support), address both the physical and mental aspects of stress. 

For parents (or anyone living in a high-demand environment), this means support not only for calmer moods and sharper focus, but also for the ability to navigate daily challenges without burning out.