5 Amino Acids to Reduce Holiday Stress Naturally

There's a reason why Elvis sang about feeling blue around Christmas. If you're not feeling merry and bright this holiday season--you're not alone!

In fact, According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 38% of Americans say their stress levels spike during the holiday season, thanks to a whirlwind of family gatherings, financial pressures, travel plans, and social obligations.

Common signs you may be struggling around the holidays include difficulty sleeping, trouble focusing, irritability, fatigue, and social anxiety at holiday parties.

If that sounds like you, there’s good news—amino acids might just be your holiday miracle workers. Unlike a fleeting glass of eggnog or a stress-induced shopping spree, amino acids like GABA, L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, Taurine, and L-Carnitine naturally support your neurotransmitters to bring you a sense of calm, balance, and focus. Here's how these 5 holiday stress relief supplements can transform your season from stressed to serene.

1. GABA: The Peacekeeper of the Brain

Ever felt so stressed that it felt like every nerve was on edge? That’s where GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) comes in. This amino acid acts like a brake pedal for your brain's overstimulation, helping to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.

• Stress Relief Benefits: GABA is perfect for holiday social anxiety. Whether it's navigating tricky family dynamics, hosting guests, or just trying to fall asleep after a chaotic day, GABA helps your brain shift from overdrive to relaxation. Studies show that GABA supplementation can lead to faster reductions in stress compared to a placebo.
• How It Works: GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it blocks certain brain signals to reduce nerve cell activity. This leads to a sense of calm, better sleep quality, and reduced tension, even when you're facing holiday chaos.
• Holistic Impact: By lowering cortisol (your body's primary stress hormone), GABA can soothe physical symptoms of stress like racing hearts and tense muscles. No wonder it's one of the best supplements for stress relief during Christmas!

2. L-Theanine: The Anxiety Whisperer

Picture this: you're at a holiday gathering, surrounded by chatter and clinking glasses, and instead of feeling overstimulated and wanting to go hide in the bathroom, you suddenly feel a wave of calm wash over you. That’s the power of L-Theanine.

• Stress Relief Benefits: Found in green tea, L-Theanine promotes relaxation without making you drowsy. It’s the perfect antidote for holiday social anxiety and stress during holiday travel. By enhancing alpha brain waves (the ones linked to relaxed alertness), it makes social interactions feel less overwhelming and keeps you grounded.
• How It Works: L-Theanine works by increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, creating a balanced and focused state of mind. This means better mood, enhanced concentration, and a calmer approach to holiday stressors.
• Holistic Impact: Studies show pairing L-Theanine with GABA can amplify their calming effects. Plus, it supports sleep quality, helping you get the restorative rest you need to face the hustle and bustle of the season.

Calm stress and boost your mood this holiday season with all-natural Mood Chews, made with 130mg of GABA and 90mg of L-Theanine! 

3. L-Tyrosine: Your Focus & Motivation Booster

As the year winds down, many of us find ourselves drowning in a sea of work deadlines while simultaneously scrambling to wrap up holiday shopping. It's no wonder focus can feel impossible to muster, and we procrastinate on holiday shopping until the last minute. Fortunately, L-Tyrosine can be your go-to for cutting through the mental fog and getting things done.

• Focus Benefits: L-Tyrosine plays a key role in the production of dopamine—a neurotransmitter vital for motivation, focus, and reward-driven behavior. By boosting dopamine levels, L-Tyrosine helps you shake off procrastination, maintain momentum on tasks, and meet end-of-year work goals with less mental strain.
• How It Works: When you're stressed, your body rapidly depletes key neurotransmitters, which can lead to burnout, indecisiveness, and mental fatigue. L-Tyrosine helps replenish these reserves, particularly dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. This means sharper focus, greater drive, and more mental clarity to tackle both work tasks and that gift list you’ve been putting off.
• Holistic Impact: By improving cognitive function and resilience under stress, L-Tyrosine ensures that you’re not just surviving year-end demands but excelling. Whether you're powering through reports or hunting for the perfect present, L-Tyrosine can help keep you energized and focused.

4. Taurine: The Mood Balancer

If holiday stress leaves you feeling anxious and moody, Taurine may be exactly what you need.

• Stress Relief Benefits: Taurine stabilizes neurotransmitter levels and helps regulate GABA activity, promoting a state of calm and reducing anxiety. It's like having a soothing friend to help you through holiday chaos.
• How It Works: By reducing cortisol levels, Taurine tackles one of the main drivers of holiday stress—chronic elevation of the stress hormone. This helps with mood stability and prevents the rollercoaster of emotions many of us feel around the holidays.
• Holistic Impact: Taurine not only reduces stress but also helps with cardiovascular health, making it a great addition to your toolbox of natural ways to reduce holiday stress.

5. L-Carnitine: The Energy Revitalizer

Holiday fatigue is real, and L-Carnitine can give you the natural (and stimulant-free) energy boost you need to tackle it all.

• Stress Relief Benefits: L-Carnitine supports cellular energy production, which can help combat fatigue, enhance focus, and boost mood. This makes it an excellent option for boosting energy levels naturally, without the caffeine jitters.
• How It Works: By helping your cells produce energy more efficiently, L-Carnitine improves brain function, lifts your mood, and combats the tiredness that often accompanies stress.
• Holistic Impact: Balanced energy levels and improved focus mean you’ll be better equipped to handle end-of-year deadlines and holiday stress without feeling constantly drained.

Beat holiday shopping procrastination and enhance focus for end-of-year deadlines with Attention Chews, formulated with L-Tyrosine, Taurine, and L-Carnitine!

Conclusion: Find Your Calm This Holiday Season

Stress is almost inevitable during the holidays, but you don’t have to let it take over. By incorporating amino acids like GABA, L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, Taurine, and L-Carnitine into your daily routine, you can find natural ways to reduce holiday stress and reclaim your sense of calm, focus, and joy. Whether you’re facing holiday social anxiety, long travel days, or just need a little extra help finding peace, these amino acids have your back.

Make this holiday season about more than just survival—thrive, with the power of amino acid supplements on your side!

Disclaimer

The content in this blog is meant for educational purposes only. The supplements mentioned are not intended to diagnose or treat any mental health illness. Please consult with your doctor before incorporating new supplements into your routine.

References

1. American Psychological Association Holiday Stress Survey: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress

2. Relaxation and immunity enhancement effects of GABA: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16971751/

3. GABA Inhibitory Neurotransmitter: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526124/#:~:text=Gamma%2Daminobutyric%20acid%20(GABA),excitability%20by%20inhibiting%20nerve%20transmission.

4. L-Theanine Effects on Stress: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6836118/

5. L-Theanine and GABA effects on sleep: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6366437/

6. L-Tyrosine and Dopamine Production: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/tyrosine

7. L-Tyrosine Enhances Cognitive Function Under Stress: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26424423/

8. Taurine for mental wellness: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10479846/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20observed%20that,in%20preventing%20depression%2Dlike%20behaviors.

9. Taurine and cardiovascular health: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-024-00995-5#:~:text=Taurine%2C%20an%20amino%20acid%2C%20holds,studies%20have%20yielded%20inconsistent%20results. 

10. L-Carnitine and cellular energy production: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8910660/#:~:text=l%2Dcarnitine%20is%20a%20vital,and%20generation%20of%20ATP%20energy.