In This Blog

Take Our Stress Quiz

1. When stress hits, what happens first?
   A) My brain turns into a racetrack — thoughts zoom everywhere.
   B) I feel drained and can’t concentrate. 

2. How’s your sleep situation lately?
   A) I fall asleep fine but wake up wired or anxious.
   B) I could nap through the holidays and still be tired. 

3. After coffee or caffeine, you’re usually...
   A) Buzzing like a bee — I have too much energy to sit still.
   B) Still yawning (and wondering, is there a stronger roast out there?) 

4. What’s your biggest holiday struggle?
   A) Overthinking, anxiety, or too many social interactions
   B) Low energy, mental fatigue, or motivation dips

5. At work or school, how do you want to feel:
   A) Calm, cool, and emotionally collected
   B) Energized, clear-headed, and mentally sharp

How to Infuse Calm Into Your Holiday Season

If you answered mostly “A” in the quiz above, you’re running on adrenaline---which can eventually lead to an energy crash that could put you out of commission for the holidays. If you want to feel calmer during the busy holiday season without sacrificing your social plans: how does relaxation without sedation sound?  L-Theanine is an amino acid originally discovered in green tea that promotes relaxation without drowsiness. It helps quiet racing thoughts, smooths out caffeine jitters, and supports alpha-wave brain activity for focused calm — ideal when your to-do list is long, and your patience is short. L-theanine does this by modulating the neurotransmitters GABA, serotonin and dopamine. In turn, this effect has beneficial physiological stress responses such as lowered heart rate and reduced blood levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

If you’re easily overstimulated, experience anxiousness, restlessness, overthinking or feel “wired but tired”, consider Pure Lab’s L-Theanine. Choose from these formulas:

• L-Theanine 250 mg capsules - - our highest potency for ultimate relaxation
• Slow Release L-Theanine 200 mg capsules, for longer-lasting calm
• L-Theanine Chewables: Fast-acting; 125 mg potency per sugar-free tablet
• Magnesium + L-Theanine: For 2-in-1 relaxation support

The bonus: L-theanine is compatible with prescription medications.

How to Boost Energy This Holiday Season

If you answered mostly “B” in the quiz above, you’re in need of an energy lift that’s best served up without the use of stimulants. Caffeine-containing supplements and beverages may give you a temporary infusion of energy by waking up your nervous system, but it can be habit-forming, with energy peaks that wear off quickly.  That’s why NADH can be a more sensible form of energy support.

As an active form of vitamin B3, NADH recharges your cellular energy production (ATP synthesis) and supports mental clarity and alertness. It helps by enhancing the functioning of our mitochondria—the energy factories in our cells. NADH may enhance cognitive performance and memory since the brain contains the highest number of mitochondria than any other organ. NADH is especially useful when stress leaves you mentally fatigued or when you rely on caffeine to function.

If you’re mentally exhausted, unfocused, or feel low energy at the start of your day, try a capsule of Pure Lab’s Slow Release NADH 20mg each morning.  It’s a therapeutic, stabilized, one-daily NADH supplement specially formulated for longer-lasting mental energy and clarity.

The bonus: NADH is an antioxidant, protecting cells from the damaging effects of stress.

Lifestyle Guidelines for Balancing Energy with Calm

If you circled both As and Bs, you might benefit from taking both supplements. Take L-theanine to calm your nervous system, once or twice daily, then layer NADH for clean, sustained mental energy. Together, they help you stay relaxed yet resilient through the season. But remember to practice lifestyle habits centred around balance, moderation and routine each day. Together, these tips will help your brain and body handle holiday-related stress:

1. Protect your energy. Prioritize sleep. Instead of leaving holiday shopping and cooking until the last minute, give yourself a few weeks to chip away at your to-do list. 
2. Schedule in some downtime.  Make rest non-negotiable. Being well-rested helps us be more present for our loved ones, which is especially valuable during the festive season. 
3. Choose an exercise type that reflects your energy levels. Overstimulated? Head to the yoga studio. Feeling blah, tired and unmotivated? Make the effort to get outside for a walk during daylight hours. 
4. Stay well hydrated. Limit caffeine and alcohol use to reduce their dehydrating effects. Indoor air can be surprisingly dry, which deprives the brain of much needed water, affecting concentration, energy and productivity. Keep a jug of water and a mug near your desk and drink from it hourly to help you maintain mental clarity. 
5. Limit sugar intake. Energy highs and lows correspond with blood sugar fluctuations, and high-sugar treats can wreak havoc on balance. Set a quota and stick to it. 

Find Your Balance, Naturally

The holidays don’t have to be a tug-of-war between exhaustion and overdrive. Whether you need calm focus or steady energy, Pure Lab’s L-Theanine and NADH SR 20 mg can help you feel centered, clear-headed, and ready to enjoy the season. Don’t wait until burnout hits— take action now towards your well-being with the right supplement and lifestyle guidelines. Happy Holidays! 

References

Barkley, Sarah. “Self-Care Ideas and Activities for Stress”. Psych Central, August 26 2022. Accessed online November 24, 2025. 

Evans, M., McDonald, A.C., Xiong, L. et al. A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Investigate the Efficacy of a Single Dose of AlphaWave^® L-Theanine on Stress in a Healthy Adult Population. Neurol Ther 10, 1061–1078 (2021). 

Gregory, Micaela. “Why Can’t I Sleep Even Though I’m Exhausted? Understanding the “Tired but Wired” Cycle”. Advanced Women’s Health, May 7 2025. Accessed online November 24^th 2025.

Xie N, Zhang L, Gao W, et al. NAD⁺ metabolism: pathophysiologic mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2020;5(1):227. Published 2020 Oct 7.