Eating is probably the easiest thing you can do to reduce stress, since you do it at least three times a day! Here are some tasty foods for stress relief. I’m sure most of them you might already be consuming.
1. Oatmeal
One of the healthiest and most filling breakfast foods, oatmeal, can help you to reduce stress. Oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate and it helps your brain produce serotonin. This relaxing hormone helps to ease anxiety symptoms. Moreover, oatmeal contains high amounts of fiber, so the nutrients take longer to digest, and it means that you reap the benefits for a longer time!
2. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is my favorite sweet treat that help me to fight stress. Dark chocolate has flavonoids that help with relaxation. When you are stressed, eat a few pieces of dark chocolate while watching your favorite movie or TV show. Dark chocolate also contains a chemical called phenethylamine that is famous for its mood boosting property. So, when you need to pick yourself up, eat some delicious dark chocolate.
3. Spinach
You may not like spinach, but it is another best food to help reduce stress! Spinachis full of magnesium that helps your body to cope better with stress. Plus, it helps to keep your blood pressure from spiking, after you enjoy a meal.
4. Blueberries
I love these sweet little berries! They are full of antioxidants that fight against cortisol, a steroid hormone, which is produced when you’re experiencing any type of stress. A handful of blueberries make a healthy stress-busting snack!
5. Walnuts
Do you like walnuts? This is another tasty food that can keep your anxiety and stress levels to a minimum. Walnuts can lower your high blood pressure, so your stress and anxiety levels will be more manageable. Don’t believe? Give it a try!
6. Salmon
Salmon gives us large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that we need! These fatty acids are really good for your heart, plus, they boost serotonin production and reduce stress hormones, such as norepinephrine and cortisol.
7. Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are a good source of magnesium and folate that help you to keep a tight reign over your emotions. Moreover, sunflower seeds help your brain produce a lot of feel-good chemicals.
These are some tasty foods for stress relief! When you are stressed, snack on a trail mix consisting of walnuts, sunflower seeds and dark chocolate or throw some blueberries in your morning cereal. Do you eat these foods on a daily basis? Do you have something to add? Share your thoughts, please!