Eat and Relax: 6 Foods to Reduce Your Stress and Anxiety
Feeling stressed, tense, or nervous? Instead of loading up on snacks, chocolate, and empty carbs, try these six healthy food options that will not only make you feel better but also calm you down.
Have you always thought eating during times of stress and tension is just unnecessary emotional eating? Well, think again. It turns out some foods work in two ways: on one hand, they are healthy and nutritious for the body, and on the other, they also positively affect the mind and help reduce stress and anxiety. Want a few examples? Here you go:
1. Milk - Milk is packed with protein and rich in vitamins B2 and B12, offering quick relaxation effects that last. Drinking milk before bed can even lead to a more peaceful night's sleep.
2. Oatmeal (Quaker) – Oatmeal boosts the production of serotonin, a hormone that contributes to a better overall feeling, regulates blood pressure, impacts sleep mechanisms, raises the mood, and increases the feeling of fullness. It is also advisable to choose whole or organic oats, as it takes longer for the body to digest them, thus extending their calming effect.
3. Avocado – Avocado is rich in various vitamins from the B group, which help reduce stress and anxiety. Therefore, it can easily assist people experiencing such conditions.
4. Oranges – When a person experiences stress, a 'stress hormone' known as cortisol is released in the body. Oranges have a high concentration of vitamin C, which helps lower cortisol and balances stress levels.
5. Spinach – Spinach leaves are rich in magnesium, which helps regulate cortisol levels and creates a sense of calm.
6. Turkey – Turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that signals the brain to release serotonin, helping to create a sense of uplifted spirits.
