When fatigue meets stress, the answer isn’t necessarily to stimulate yourself further. In the morning, certain habits—sleep, light, movement, nutrition—can support our energy, and certain plants known as adaptogens can also help the body better resist stress.
At the start of the fall season, when schedules pick up, days fill up, and mental load increases, we can experience this paradoxical feeling: being tired yet unable to slow down.
The reflex is often to look for something that “gives you energy.”
But before adding another coffee, we can ask ourselves: what kind of energy do we need?
FATIGUE AND STRESS OFTEN GO TOGETHER
When we have to constantly adapt—to work, family, training, lack of sleep, worries, changes in routine—several systems in the body participate in this adaptation.
And when this demand is prolonged, it can be accompanied by a feeling of physical or mental fatigue.
This is precisely where the concept of an adaptogen comes in.
WHAT IS AN ADAPTOGEN?
This term is used to refer to certain plants that are believed to have the ability to support the body’s adaptation to stress.
In Canada, some plants can also be authorized in natural health products with specific indications related to energy and stress resistance.
Ashwagandha, for example, is used as an adaptogen to help increase energy and stress resistance, particularly in cases of mental or physical fatigue related to stress.
Clinical research is also interesting. A meta-analysis published in 2024¹ combining nine randomized trials and 558 participants observed improvements in certain measures of stress and anxiety with different ashwagandha preparations compared to placebo. However, the authors emphasize that more data are needed, particularly on its long-term use.
WHAT CAN WE ADD TO OUR MORNING?
Before supplements, let’s start with the foundations.
Light. Exposure to natural light at the beginning of the day helps regulate our circadian rhythm.
Water with electrolytes. After several hours without drinking, the morning is simply a good time to start rehydrating.
Movement. There is no need for an intense workout: walking, going outside, moving/jumping, or stretching for a few minutes is already enough to get the body moving.
A nutritious breakfast, when you eat breakfast. Protein is particularly interesting for starting the day with essential amino acids.
And for some people, you can then consider adaptogens.
MUSHROOMS & ADAPTOGENS: THE POWDER RITUAL
Our Mushrooms & adaptogens blend combines several plants, roots, and mushrooms in equal measure.
It includes, among others:
• 2.5 g of ashwagandha
• 1 g of maca
• 940 mg of eleuthero
• 710 mg of Paecilomyces hepiali
• 610 mg of lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus)
• astragalus
• reishi
• amla
• rhodiola
• red ginseng
Its NPN 80129449 allows it, among other things, to be presented as a phytotherapeutic tonic to help relieve generalized weakness or fatigue, aid recovery, and improve mental or physical performance after periods of mental or physical exertion.
It is also used as an adaptogen to help increase energy and stress resistance, particularly in cases of mental or physical fatigue related to stress.
This is what I like about the adaptogen approach: we are not simply talking about “boosting” the body. We are talking about supporting its ability to adapt.
WHAT IF I PREFER CAPSULES?
There is another approach: Energy & adaptogens.
Here, the formula is different.
It includes holy basil, standardized mangiferin from mango, quercetin, theacrine, sour cherry, and several B vitamins in active forms such as methylcobalamin, pyridoxal-5’-phosphate, and L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate.
Its NPN 80129617 includes indications, among others, regarding energy, stress resistance, energy metabolism, and exercise performance.
POWDER OR CAPSULES: HOW TO CHOOSE?
Mushrooms & adaptogens is particularly suitable for those who wish to incorporate a large blend of adaptogenic plants and mushrooms into their daily routine. Simply add the powder to your coffee, protein shake, oatmeal, yogurt, or overnight pudding.
Energy & adaptogens offers a practical capsule formula instead, with an adaptogen, theacrine, and B vitamins, more focused on energy and performance.
They are therefore not simply two formats of the same product: they are two different approaches.
AND WHAT ABOUT OUR MITOCHONDRIA IN ALL THIS?
It is impossible to talk about energy without talking about mitochondria.
These tiny structures present in our cells participate in the production of ATP, the form of energy directly usable by our cells.
Our feeling of fatigue is obviously much more complex than the functioning of a single metabolic pathway. Sleep, nutrition, physical activity, stress, health status, and several other factors can play a role.
But understanding mitochondria allows us to understand one essential thing:
Having energy does not simply mean being stimulated.
→ Read: Why might our mitochondria function less effectively?
IN THE MORNING, SEEK TO SUPPORT RATHER THAN PUSH
A coffee can perfectly be part of a beautiful morning.
But when you are going through a particularly demanding period, it can be interesting to look more broadly at what our body needs: sleep, light, movement, protein, hydration, and stress management.
Then, when it suits us, certain adaptogenic plants can find their place in this routine.
The goal is not to always do more despite fatigue. It is to give the body what it needs to better get through the periods that demand more of it.
→ Read: Magnesium: which one to choose and when to take it?
→ Read: What morning routine helps you have more energy during the day?
TO REMEMBER
What to take in the morning when you are tired and stressed? There is no single answer. Start with the basics—sleep, light, hydration, movement, and nutrition—then consider, when appropriate, adaptogens designed to support energy and stress resistance rather than relying solely on stimulants.
What adaptogens can you take in the morning?
Several adaptogens can be incorporated into a morning routine, notably ashwagandha, rhodiola, eleuthero, and certain blends that also contain mushrooms such as reishi or lion’s mane. The choice depends on the desired goal and the formula. Health Canada notably recognizes ashwagandha and eleuthero as adaptogens under certain conditions of use.
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=ashwagandha2&lang=eng&utm_source
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=fonc.cognitive.func&utm_source
Do adaptogens give you energy?
Some adaptogens are used to help increase energy and stress resistance over time, particularly in cases of mental or physical fatigue related to stress. They should therefore not be considered simply as stimulants: their benefit lies rather in supporting the body’s adaptation to stress. This is notably the recognized use by Health Canada for ashwagandha.
Can you put adaptogen powder in coffee?
Yes, when a powdered product is designed to be mixed with a beverage and its directions allow it. Our Mushrooms & adaptogens can thus easily be incorporated into the morning ritual: coffee, protein shake, oatmeal, yogurt, or overnight pudding. However, you must always follow the dosage and directions shown on the product label.
What is the difference between Mushrooms & adaptogens and Energy & adaptogens?
Mushrooms & adaptogens is a powder combining a large blend of plants, roots, and mushrooms, including ashwagandha, maca, eleuthero, lion’s mane, reishi, rhodiola, and red ginseng. Energy & adaptogens, in capsules, offers a different approach with holy basil, mangiferin, quercetin, theacrine, sour cherry, and active B vitamins, among others. The first is incorporated as a true morning food ritual; the second offers a practical option more focused on energy and performance.
Can you take adaptogens every day?
It depends on the adaptogen, its dose, and the product. Some products are designed for daily intake; for ashwagandha, for example, Health Canada’s monograph does not set a maximum duration of use for adaptogenic use. However, scientific data on very long-term use remain limited. You must therefore follow the product’s directions and precautions and consult a healthcare professional when your situation warrants it.
References
- 1 Ashwagandha, stress and anxiety - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39348746/
