These days it has gotten easier for everyone to experience
stress on a day to day basis. Most often it’s hard for us to keep up with these
stressful times. Often we are too busy to relax and go on a vacation, but did
you know you can combat stress and anxiety through your normal daily eating
habits? Yes, comfort foods are a great way to ease fear, tension, or stress as
long as you keep eating healthy foods in moderation. Note: there is a very thin
line between eating healthy for stress relief – and binge-eating on junk foods.
The latter will gain you even more stress than you originally had in the first
place.
Remember, the idea is to eat all-natural healthy foods that
boost immunity and maintain your blood pressure/ blood sugar at a healthy
level. Eating foods with serotonin “feel-good hormones” that lower cortisol
(stress hormones) and adrenaline will help keep your mood and energy up no
matter how tiring and emotionally draining your day becomes.
Complex Carbs instead
of Simple Carbs
Simple carbohydrates or sodas, candies, and other artificial
sweets give the body temporary serotonins that make one feel good instantly, however
this sudden spike in mood boosters drops all too soon making you feel more rundown
more than ever. A better substitute is complex carbs that are slowly digested
by the body, hence giving a more stable source of feel-good substances or
serotonin.
Oranges, Citrus
Fruits, and other Vitamin C
These are major immunity boosters. People who have high
blood pressure and high cortisol (stress hormones) recover quicker or are able
to get their body functioning normally again after taking Vitamin C.
Green Leafy
Vegetables, such as Spinach
These are rich in magnesium which has also been found to
prevent headaches and fatigue that can add up to one’s stress.
Fatty Fish, such as
Tuna and Salmon
Fish high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids can help prevent depression
and other mood disorders and heart problems. In other words, it can help ease
out the negative effects of stress. Eat 3 ounces of tuna or salmon at least two
times a week. (Avocados are also rich in good fats.)
Coffee versus Tea
Tea drinkers are much less stressed compared to coffee
drinkers. It is because tea has calming effects, while the caffeine in coffee
negatively raises one’s blood pressure and stress hormones.
Healthy Nuts and
Seeds, like Pistachios, Walnuts, Almonds
Like fatty fish, nuts and seeds have the ability to lower
bad cholesterols in the body which can wear out a person in his day-to-day
activities. Just eat these nuts and seeds in moderation (only one handful a
day). (Almonds are also high in beneficial Vitamin E and B vitamins.)
Fruits and Vegetables
Packed with dietary fibers and nutrients, fruits and
vegetables are also high in anti-oxidants that combat free radicals from
pollution and other daily stressors. It will keep your energy up no matter how
hard your day has been.
As a rule of thumb, avoid stimulants if you’re already
stressed. Stimulants increase anxiety and other symptoms related to stress. Stay
away from alcohol, nicotine and illegal drugs. Also stay away from stimulant
drugs and foods that have preservatives and additives (like salt, MSG, GMOs,
and refined white products). These foods are either impossible for the body to
digest and/or just adds stressful toxins to one’s body.
MayoClinic.com
suggests foods containing tryptophan for its relaxing effects (bananas, sesame seeds, nuts, soy, poultry, and peanut butter). Soda water may also
help ease hyperventilation and produce relaxing effects in the body. Other
foods that produce calming effects include protein-rich foods (except red
meat), molasses, and Brewer's yeast.
So, have you already made these stress/anxiety relieving
foods a normal part of your daily diet?
