This post is in partnership with Ritual, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
"Moms have to master the ultimate juggling act. Waking up before the sun, rushing to get the kids out the door, driving while they scream their 100th request before 8 a.m., then speeding home to start our own eight-hour days. There’s no clocking out at the end either—only Chaos, Act II when the kids come back home. The hours between dinnertime and bedtime feel like another race to the finish line. Truthfully, we’re all dancing really close to the edge when it comes to keeping our cool. Our job is to help the little people manage their emotions, but who’s helping us when our well of patience has run dry?
One thing about mothers: We understand each other’s struggles like no one else ever could. So, naturally, it would take a mom-founded company like Ritual to develop a new supplement that moms can rely on for stress management: Ritual Stress Relief. A few editors had already used Ritual’s Prenatal and Postnatal Multivitamins because they use ingredients that are trustworthy (and traceable), so we jumped at the chance to try their latest creation. If you’re a mom who’s also needing an extra sigh of relief, three moms of different ages and stages tried it and are sharing their honest thoughts below. But first, what exactly is Ritual Stress Relief, and how does it work?*
What is Ritual Stress Relief?
Ritual developed this new supplement using a trio of clinically-studied ingredients that help reduce stress*: Shoden® Ashwagandha, Suntheanine® L-Theanine, and affron® Saffron. Here’s what these ingredients do:
- Shoden® Ashwagandha has been clinically-studied to support normal cortisol levels and reduce stress.*
- Suntheanine® L-Theanine is clinically-studied to provide quick stress relief within the hour and a non-drowsy sense of calm.*
- affron® Saffron is clinically-studied to promote a positive mood and reduce stress.*
In combination with these ingredients, Stress Relief also uses first-of-its-kind Bioseries™ Technology designed to support the body’s natural cortisol response.* What this means is that you get an instant and extended release formulation, thanks to the three small tablets within each daily dose. Tablet 1 is designed to begin releasing immediately.* Tablet 2 is designed to dissolve over 4 hours to continue ingredient release as the body’s normal cortisol level.* Tablet 3 is designed with 8 hour continued release to support the tapering off of the body’s normal cortisol levels.*
All in all, their Stress Relief supplement helps reduce stress, support the body’s natural cortisol response, and helps support a positive mood.* It can be taken daily and at any time of day (though Ritual does recommend taking it in the morning when cortisol is usually at its peak). Although individual experience may vary, clinical studies show that the effects of Suntheanine® L-Theanine can be felt within the hour.* Three editors of different ages with kids in various stages trialed Ritual Stress Relief for four weeks—here are their honest thoughts:
Our experience with Ritual Stress Relief
Roberta’s Experience
What is your biggest daily stressor?
There’s not a mom out there who can tell you that finding time for herself is easy. Lately, it’s been near impossible to get even 20 or 30 minutes of downtime. Mornings used to be my happy, calm time and lately, they’ve become so stressful. My son is not a morning person and it’s a power struggle filled with kicking and screaming to get him up around 7:30 a.m. We have to leave for school at 8:00 a.m. and we’re always running late, so I get frazzled and end up becoming the worst version of myself in these moments. I have a hard time compartmentalizing, and all of these emotions trickle into the rest of my work day. Since I work from home, it’s also becoming difficult to separate home life from work life, so all the stresses become one big giant stress.
How did Ritual Stress Relief work for you?
I felt more relaxed after a few days of taking Ritual Stress Relief. I even had a family “vacation” the week after starting but most of us can agree that a vacation with kids doesn’t always feel like one. But, I noticed I was less on edge or rushed throughout our trip. I’ve been taking it in the mornings since that is the most stressful time of my day, and I’m finding that by the afternoon I’ve noticed a sense of calm and am not as quick to jump to my immediate stressed reactions.
Moms are generally the ones handling the mental load and non-stop to-do lists that come with having kids. It can be so overwhelming, but it’s also something I know I’ll miss one day. Having something that helps me take a breather and gain perspective about the mounting responsibilities between home and work is really helpful.*
Megan’s Experience
What is your biggest daily stressor?
Recently, our family has experienced the whiplash of transitioning out of toddlerhood (i.e., our 4-year-old finally gaining independence), to right back to infancy where you are needed 24/7. The feeling of no downtime in a 24-hour period as the baby is still waking at night has given me this feeling of slight dread—which then spirals into guilt. BY FAR the most stressful part of my day is the 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. stretch of the day. My husband works in an office 45 minutes away, so I tackle most of this stretch myself, but a couple of nights a week, he works late, so I tackle all of it. If I’m being honest, the stress boils down to juggling the emotional needs of the 4-year-old with the physical needs of the baby.
How did Ritual Stress Relief work for you?
I was able to take inventory of my emotions and notice a difference after a week of taking Stress Relief. I think I’ve been too in the weeds with my life to notice the instant release, but after a week, I was able to reflect and genuinely say that I felt better. I did notice the strongest benefit during hour 4, which has guided my decision to take the supplement in the early afternoon. Mama needs that extra help for the afternoon marathon! The best way I can articulate how I feel is just ‘lighter.’ I am able to take that two to three seconds to check in with myself for a deep breath or a quick reminder of perspective. I’m present-minded enough to think: “It’s going to be okay even if you have a crying baby in your arms while you’re trying to take chicken fingers out of the air fryer!”
Ritual Stress Relief has really helped me during the times I used to reach my limit. Instead of experiencing that overwhelming feeling of dread in the evening, I can step back and breathe better. Kiddos feed off stress, so it automatically helps everyone if I’m in a better mood. Plus, I am a far better mother when I have control over my emotions, and this is just what I needed to get there.*
Steph’s Experience
What is your biggest daily stressor?
My husband just went from working remotely full-time to a hybrid position located 30 minutes away (without traffic). We used to do it all together: morning routine, drop off, pick up, evening routine, and bedtime. But our old method of tag teaming has turned into a solo sport the days he’s at the office. Having two toddlers (2 and 3.5) so close in age means double tantrums, double snack requests, and double testing boundaries. Car rides are filled with sibling fights, and when we get home in the afternoons, I resort to TV time so I can cook dinner. However, that’s typically cut short when my 2-year-old wanders into the kitchen and insists on being held while I cook. By the time my husband gets home, I’m completely overstimulated.
How did Ritual Stress Relief work for you?
The first couple days, I took Ritual Stress Relief around 6:30 a.m., and it helped me stay calm during drop-offs. However, I realized I needed more relief in the afternoons instead. So I started taking it around 1:00 p.m., and my workday ends more smoothly, and I’m in a better headspace for pick up at 3:45 p.m. At dinnertime when the TV is too loud, the kids are fighting (again), and dinner is two seconds away from burning, that four-hour release hits. This is when I’d usually lose my temper, but since taking Stress Relief, I’ve noticed I’m able to stop myself before the gentle parenting leaves my body. A nice bonus of taking it a little later is that it helps me relax right before I go to bed.*
On the weekends, I take Ritual Stress Relief in the morning because I want that help throughout the whole day while the kids are home. Even though my husband and I are always together on weekends, a mom can use all the help she can get to maintain her cool. Plus, there’s a clear difference in the way I interact with my kids when I’m properly managing my stress. I’m far less affected by the little inconveniences and annoyances that occur throughout the day, which results in a more present and patient mom.*
This post is in partnership with Ritual, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.