Are you feeling stressed out? Or, Is any of your family members complaining about stress? If yes, then we have some really good news for you. Do you know that you can beat Stress by Eating? We are not talking about indulging yourself in your go-to comfort food – Cheese, Fries, or Pizza. Rather, we are talking about treating yourself with these amazing stress-busting foods to calm yourself down.
Best Stress Relieving Foods To Have When You Feel Stressed Or Anxious
Nuts
Stress depletes our Vitamin B stores and snacking on nuts helps replenish them. Vitamin B is important to keep our neurotransmitters in a happy state and help us handle the fight-or-flight stress response. The potassium in nuts is also key. Some researchers found that Potassium-packed Pistachios (Pista) a day can lower blood pressure and reduce the pressure that stress puts on our heart.
Coconut Water
Coconut water supplements Potassium in the body and helps in combating muscular stress as well.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate helps in lowering Cortisol and fight-or-flight hormone levels, which helps in reducing stress. And remember: dark chocolate is a high-calorie food, so mind your portions.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in stress-busting Magnesium. People with low magnesium levels are more likely to have high C-reactive protein levels. As per the research, people with higher CRP levels are not only more stressed, but also at a greater risk for depression. Other good magnesium sources are Beans, Brown rice.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal helps in the production of the calm-inducing hormone – Serotonin. Prefer thick-cut, old-fashioned oats that require cooking instead of instant oatmeal. Why? Coarse oats are higher in fiber and hence, take longer to digest. This means their calming effect lasts for a longer time.
Herbal Tea & Other Herbs
“Drinking herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint or ginger can be wonderfully soothing to the digestive tract, which can reduce stress by calming the nervous system in your gut,” says Kathie Swift, author of The Swift Diet. Additionally, the following herbs can improve immune function and reduce fatigue.
- Chamomile: for calming down
- Pennywort (Brahmi): for calming down and boosting memory
- Ashwagandha: acts as a nerve tonic and a stress reliever
- Mint:Â for calming down
- Lavender:Â for calming down
Milk
A glass of warm milk before bed is a remedy for sleeping issues and restlessness. That’s because milk is high in antioxidants, vitamins B2 and B12, as well as protein and calcium. Milk helps in lowering the stress as Protein Lactium in milk lowers the blood pressure. Also, it has Potassium that relieves muscle spasms triggered by feeling tense.
Blueberries
One of the best stress relieving foods is Blueberries. Blueberries may seem small, but just a handful of these contain a powerful punch of antioxidants and Vitamin C, making them mighty stress-busters.
Avocado
We need Vitamins B for healthy nerves and brain cells. The deficiency of Vitamin B can raise feelings of anxiety. Avocados are rich in stress-relieving B vitamins. Bonus: They’re also high in potassium, which helps in lowering blood pressure.
Oranges
Vitamin C is another vitamin known to lower blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. For a quick burst of vitamin C, simply eat a whole orange or drink a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice without added sugar. Don’t forget to read about the amazing benefits of orange juice for immunity, stress, skin, hair and so much more.
Warning: Some food items can interact with medications or have side effects, so you may want to consult with a doctor if you have a medical condition.