Fall Funk? Try This Adaptogen Duo for Energy & Mood

Fall often starts with a burst of excitement—the crisp air, comforting foods, and cozy nights on the couch. But as the season settles in, it’s totally normal to feel a dip in mood and energy—kind of like the dried-up leaves and bare trees outside.

The good news? There’s an adaptogenic duo that can help support your body through these seasonal shifts.

Let’s dive into how to shake off the funk and bring back your fall energy—naturally.

What Is the “Seasonal Slump”?

Feeling tired hours before bedtime? Snapping over small things? Lost motivation to hit the gym after work?

You’re not alone. These are common signs of what’s often called the seasonal slump—a natural dip in mood and energy that many people feel as fall progresses.

This experience is closely tied to something called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression linked to changes in daylight and weather.[1] While not everyone experiences SAD in this form, many feel a subtler version of the same symptoms—low energy, mood dips, and disrupted sleep.[1]

What’s Going on Internally: 

Hormonal & Neurotransmitter Fluctuations 

• Melatonin: Less daylight = more melatonin production → hello, heavy eyes and early yawns.[2]

• Serotonin: With lower light exposure, serotonin levels can drop, which may impact mood and motivation.[2]

• Vitamin D: Sunlight is a key source of vitamin D, which plays a role in mood, brain health, and immune support. More time indoors means less natural vitamin D.[2]

Circadian Rhythm Disruption

How it happens: Less sunlight → Misaligned rhythms → Feeling off, tired, and foggy[3]

Your internal body clock is guided by light. So when the days get shorter, it can throw off everything from your mood and energy levels to your sleep patterns—similar to jet lag, but without the travel.[3]

While we can’t fast-forward to spring, there are two science-backed adaptogens that can help your body adjust and stay balanced through the darker months: Maca and Ashwagandha.

Benefits of Maca—Rooted in Energy

Maca is more than a root—it’s a time-tested adaptogen from Peru known for fueling both body and mind.

The 3 primary types of maca root are easily distinguishable by their color—each offering unique benefits:

• Yellow Maca: Often used for stress support and overall balance, yellow maca is known to help sustain energy and lift mood.[4,5]

• Red Maca: Traditionally tied to hormone health, red maca may support reproductive balance and ease menopausal discomfort.[6,7]

• Black Maca: The most potent variety, black maca is linked to increased stamina, libido, and mental clarity.[7,8,9]

Benefits of Ashwagandha—Calm in the Chaos

Ashwagandha is a time-tested adaptogen from India, long used in Ayurvedic medicine to keep the body steady and the mind centered. 

As the days shorten and stress rises, it’s a natural way to stay grounded through seasonal transitions.

Its key benefits include:[10,11,12,13]

• Regulated Mood: Supports emotional balance when life feels off.

• Lowered Stress: Helps the body adapt to daily pressures with more ease.

• Improved Sleep: Encourages deeper rest for better next-day energy.

• Stable Energy: Promotes calm focus without the crash.

• Physical Resilience: May aid stamina and post-exercise recovery.

• Cognitive Support: Helps maintain clarity and mental performance.

Why They Work Better Together

On their own, Maca Root and Ashwagandha are powerful adaptogens. But together? They make an even stronger wellness stack—one that supports both calm and energy, day after day.

While both promote vitality, they bring different strengths to the table:

• Maca = Uplift
  With its rich profile of amino acids, fatty acids, and glucosinolates, Maca is known for boosting stamina and supporting hormonal harmony.[14]
  

• Ashwagandha = Unwind
  Ashwagandha offers a calming counterbalance, delivering minerals that support stress relief, focus, and relaxation.[15]

Combine for Daily Energy—Without the Crash

Think of them like salt and pepper—each powerful on its own, but even better together.
Stacked daily, Maca and Ashwagandha help you meet the season with steady energy, fewer crashes, and a greater sense of calm—all without reaching for a second cup of coffee.

How to Add Them Into Your Day (The Pattern Way)

Adding Maca and Ashwagandha to your fall wellness stack doesn’t have to be complicated. Both come in easy-to-take capsule form, making them a seamless addition to your daily routine.

Timing Tips:

• Take Maca in the morning to support sustained energy, stamina, and hormonal balance throughout the day.

• Take Ashwagandha in the evening to promote calm focus, deeper rest, and stress resilience as you wind down.

Why Consistency Matters:

Adaptogens work best when taken regularly—so think of them as a ritual, not a rescue. A little support each day can go a long way in helping your body navigate the seasonal slump.

Pattern Picks

• Our tri-color Maca Root combines yellow, red, and black maca in one nutrient-rich blend with iron, calcium, and lysine—ideal for daily energy, mood, and resilience.*

• Our Ashwagandha Complex features KSM-66® and Black Pepper Extract to boost absorption and potency, giving you more calm and clarity in every capsule.*

Together, they create a simple, powerful way to feel more steady, energized, and clear-headed—no matter what the season throws your way.

Break Free From the Fall Funk 

Seasonal shifts are a regular part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to power through them on empty. With a bit of awareness and the right daily support, you can stay balanced, uplifted, and more in tune with what your body needs.

Be kind to yourself this season. Add Maca Root and Ashwagandha to your wellness stack today–and use code BLOG10 for 10% off your order!

-

Resources:

1. Seasonal affective disorder (seasonal depression). Cleveland Clinic. (2025, July 14). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression

2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Seasonal affective disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder 

3. Dollish, H. K., Tsyglakova, M., & McClung, C. A. (2024). Circadian rhythms and mood disorders: Time to see the light. Neuron, 112(1), 25–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.023 

4. Zhu H , Xu W , Wang N , Jiang W , Cheng Y , Guo Y , Yao W , Hu B , Du P , Qian H . Anti-fatigue effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca) on preventing mitochondria-mediated muscle damage and oxidative stress in vivo and vitro. Food Funct. 2021 Apr 7;12(7):3132-3141. doi: 10.1039/d1fo00383f. Epub 2021 Mar 17. PMID: 33729250. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33729250/

5. Ulloa Del Carpio N, Alvarado-Corella D, Quiñones-Laveriano DM, Araya-Sibaja A, Vega-Baudrit J, Monagas-Juan M, Navarro-Hoyos M, Villar-López M. Exploring the chemical and pharmacological variability of Lepidium meyenii: a comprehensive review of the effects of maca. Front Pharmacol. 2024 Feb 19;15:1360422. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1360422. PMID: 38440178; PMCID: PMC10910417. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10910417

6. Gonzales GF. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:193496. doi: 10.1155/2012/193496. Epub 2011 Oct 2. PMID: 21977053; PMCID: PMC3184420. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3184420/

7. Gonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E, Alarcón-Yaquetto DE, Zevallos-Concha A, Caballero L, Gasco M, Zhao J, Khan IA, Gonzales GF. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2016 Aug 18;9(3):49. doi: 10.3390/ph9030049. PMID: 27548190; PMCID: PMC5039502. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5039502

8. Alcalde AM, Rabasa J. Does Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improve seminal quality? Andrologia. 2020 Nov;52(10):e13755. doi: 10.1111/and.13755. Epub 2020 Jul 12. PMID: 32654242. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32654242/

9. Dording CM, Schettler PJ, Dalton ED, Parkin SR, Walker RS, Fehling KB, Fava M, Mischoulon D. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:949036. doi: 10.1155/2015/949036. Epub 2015 Apr 14. PMID: 25954318; PMCID: PMC4411442. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4411442/

10. Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022

11. Deshpande, A., Irani, N., Balkrishnan, R., & Benny, I. R. (2020). A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep quality in healthy adults. Sleep medicine, 72, 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.03.012

12. Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9

13. Bonilla, D. A., Moreno, Y., Gho, C., Petro, J. L., Odriozola-Martínez, A., & Kreider, R. B. (2021). Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis. Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology, 6(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6010020

14. Huang, Y.-J., Peng, X.-R., & Qiu, M.-H. (2018). Progress on the chemical constituents derived from glucosinolates in Maca (lepidium meyenii). Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 8(6), 405–412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-018-0185-7

15. Arshad, M. T., Maqsood, S., Ikram, A., & Abdullahi, M. A. (2025). Functional, nutraceutical, and health‐endorsing perspectives of ashwagandha. eFood, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/efd2.70061