Our lives run on a high-tension wire. We have projects to finish, deadlines to meet, money problems, kids problems and so much more. And as we go along stress becomes our partner. Thus begins the hunt to reduce stress. The answer surprisingly lies in your diet. Food is not only necessary for survival, but it can also serve as a way to manage stress.
Let’s take the primary issue with stress- reduced levels of energy. To combat fatigue, magnesium-rich spinach is a tasty solution. Almonds, with vitamin B and E, also increase energy and boost your immunity. Oranges rich in Vitamin C also help minimize stress while strengthening the immune system.
Sweet potatoes are another one of those unsung heroes of a stress relieving diet. Enriched in beta carotene, they have a high nutritional standing along with carrots. The fiber content assuages your hunger reducing intake of unnecessary stress-buster snacks.
Sweets are known to be one of the best medicines for stress as they decrease the production of a particular stress-inducing hormone. Eating a sweet potato in place of candy as a little-pick me up, satisfies both your sweet tooth and gives you a nutritional boost.
Dried apricots are another delicious way to curb that chocolate craving. The magnesium rich fruit relaxes your muscles when you are stressed allowing your body to recuperate into a calm state.
The soft, tasty thanksgiving turkey that we celebrate with every year, is actually another relaxant due to the Tryptophan present in it. This has a natural sedative effect.
Everyone knows one feels drowsy after a big turkey meal at Thanksgiving or Christmas. This is because turkey contains Tryptophan which is an essential amino acid with a documented sleep inducing effect. Tryptophan also metabolizes into Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that exerts a calming effect and regulates sleep, consequently reducing stress.
As your exam date approaches and you get tense, you can feel the adrenaline rush up your veins. Sound familiar? Adrenaline and cortisol are known as stress hormones, as stress activates their secretion. In these high stress situations, seafood such as salmon, containing omega-3 fatty acids reduce the secretion of stress hormones, keeping you calm and relaxed to a certain extent.
Butter fruits and walnuts also assist in relieving stress. Complex problems require simple solutions. So just eat right and keep the stress away.
Get additional works written by this author regarding topics including GSM mobile phones and camera lanyard.