It’s easy to forget the importance of everything we put into our bodies. While you can’t always eat a completely balanced diet, you can reduce your stress levels simply by choosing stress-reducing foods.
Since everyone is different, some stress-relieving foods might work for you while others may not. Your best bet will be to try them all and then incorporate the ones that work for you into your regular diet. It goes without saying, but I will say it here, please avoid any of the following foods if you have an allergy or intolerance to it! Always consult a health care practionioner before making major changes to your diet.
Here are some foods that can help alleviate your stress:
1. Green Leafy Vegetables. Leafy greens contain a lot of magnesium. Magnesium is an important mineral that has the power to relax muscles. In a neurological study done they found that people who ate more leafy greens actually had chronologically younger brains which means they suffered less from cognitive decline. Their conclusion was if you consumed at least one serving of leafy greens rich in nutrients such as Luiten, folate, nitrate and other nutrients that occur in greens it may help slow cognitive decline with aging.[i] Low folate has also been associated with symptoms of depression and in appropriate amounts it can help to alleviate this, folate plays a big role on the formation of neurotransmitters.[ii] Neurotransmitter are the body’s chemical messenger’s, these are very key in mood and stress management, they include Gaba, serotonin and norephedrine and many more. I am not a neuroscientist, but I have studied all of these on a basic level as a nutritionist and everyone plays a key role in mood balancing, brain health, nerve health and sleep, all key components to a successful healthy life.
2. Fish Oil. Fish oil contains essential fatty acids that help with serotonin uptake in the brain. Serotonin makes you feel good mentally and enables your brain to better cope with stress. You can get your fish oil from certain kinds of fish, small fish is great like sardines, krill or other small oily fish, wild caught salmon, not farmed salmon can be very high as well because it east a natural diet of sea life and it is not grain fed as some farmed salmon can be.
Omega-3Fatty acids, most of us have heard of them or seen them advertises, they are not all created equally and fish oils can go rancid is not properly manufactured shipped and stored, so choose a reputable company. They are however vital to our health and wellness and are an important component for every cell in out body! Overwhelming research has confirmed that Omega 3-EPA and DHA are vital for brain function and development and well as your nerves and eyes along with providing support for cognitive health and brain function throughout your life.[iii]
I saved the Best for Last!!!
3. Chocolate. A small piece of dark chocolate each day can actually provide you with many health benefits. Chocolate has a stimulating effect. The caffeine also helps to increase serotonin. It’s okay to indulge in chocolate in small amounts, pure organic is even better! Good pure chocolate is also high in magnesium it helps your muscles to relax and allows you to unwind and be able to focus a bit better through relaxation.
So eat well, breath, relax and release the stress!
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[i] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29263222/
[ii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032712000146
[iii] https://naturalfactors.com/product/omega3-liquid-fish-oil/
