The modern lifestyle which incorporates
working, taking care of our social lives and looking after the people around us
has rendered us unhealthy. Whether it is changes in our health physically and
mentally, the pressure in our professional space tends to put us through
stress. But what if we said that a part of this stress could be avoided by
intaking the right type of food? Do you not believe us? Scroll over to find out
more.
Stress not only affects our physical
well-being, but it also affects our mental health. This is probably the reason
why taking care of our mental health is so essential since if we avoid it,
physical symptoms will develop sooner or later.
The physical symptoms of stress include:
- Chronic Pain
- Acne
- Decreased Immune
Response
- Headaches
- Decreased Energy
- Insomnia
- Appetite Change
- Depression
There are a lot of foods that increase
blood cholesterol levels. We also intake other types of foods which are not
suitable for our health otherwise. For instance, soft drinks contain very high
amounts of sugar which are totally unhealthy. We consume a big glass of such
soft drinks quickly through the short duration of a movie. Apart from this,
alcohol and cigarettes also correspond to bad health. Our busy lifestyle makes
us ignorant towards all such mistakes. This is perhaps the reason why we
overlook our diet when it comes to stress management.
The good thing is that we can successfully
control stress by eating the right food. In this list, we are mentioning a few
food options that are great for stress management. This list will also contain
some changes in our everyday habits, which will contribute to lesser stress in
our day to day lives. So let's get started-
Herbal Supplements and Teas
There are some teas and herbs which are
widely used and known for their calming effects. These teas reduce the stress
that is related to anxiety and even insomnia.
- Chamomile: Chamomile tea is available very easily,
and it has a wide range of healing properties. It helps in controlling insomnia
and gastrointestinal diseases.
- Mint: Mint tea helps to induce calmness. One
can also apply peppermint oil for relaxation.
- Barley
Tea: barley tea is also
known for its stress-relieving properties. It contributes to tryptophan which
is an essential amino acid responsible for sleep and synthesis of serotonin in
the body.
- Passionflower: Passionflower is famous for its
relaxation properties. It is perfect for people who have generalised anxiety
disorders and insomnia.
Comfort Food Options
Not just herbal supplements, but there are
some comfort food options as well, which can act as terrific stress-relieving
foods.
- Dark
Chocolate: unlike popular
opinion, chocolate can be quite healthy. Dark chocolate does not only tastes
good, but it also helps to relieve stress at the molecular level. Cocoa beans
are known to improve cognitive function and make the mood better. People
suffering from anxiety can benefit significantly by intaking dark chocolate.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal instils a feeling of calmness by
boosting the secretion of serotonin in the body. It also reduces the level of
stress hormones, thereby helping the person to manage stress.
- Nutrients: Instead of looking for food options, one
can also increase the amount of stress-relieving nutrients in the diet. A
proper diet will be able to counterbalance the impact of stress by reducing the
blood pressure and stabilising the mood. Some of these nutrients are as
follows:
- Complex
Carbohydrates: There is a
big debate as to whether the difference between good carbs and bad carbs is
essential or not. But in our case, complex carbohydrates can help to manage
stress by increasing the serotonin production inside our body. These
carbohydrates are found in whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
- Vitamin
C: Vitamin C not only
helps in stress management but also gives a boost to the immune system.
Consuming foods rich in vitamin C such as oranges and lemons can help to lower
the levels of cortisol which is a stress hormone.
- Omega
3 Fatty Acids: All the fatty
fish, including salmon and tuna along with some nuts and seeds such as walnuts,
almonds, flax seeds, etc. are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids
also reduce the production of stress hormones and are essential for protection
against a variety of heart diseases.
- Magnesium: In a majority of people, fatigue and
headaches are observed due to deficiency of magnesium. Moreover, increased
magnesium intake improves the quality of sleep in adults. To intake more
magnesium in your diet, you can eat more spinach or leafy greens along with
soya beans.
Apart from this, you can also try warm milk
before sleeping to do away with any sleeping issues. Incorporating probiotics
can help you to keep your gastrointestinal tract healthy, which will eventually
help you manage stress.
Eating right can not only help you manage
your weight but it also clearly contributes to having a healthier lifestyle
that is devoid of any stress. We say it because of the proven scientific basis
that corresponds to the importance of choosing healthy food options.