When you feel stressed, you don’t need to worry because there are many ways to manage or reduce stress levels when you feel extra frazzled. Food can be an essential part of your stress management regime that can either help or break you, so it’s vital to pay attention to what you’re indulging in when you’re feeling tense.
However, if you feel like things are becoming too overwhelming for you to handle alone, you don’t have to face your battles yourself because there are plenty of people ready to help. It’s best to have regular counseling sessions with experts via remote therapy for cognitive behavior to help you get back on track.
To help you start your stress-free journey, we’ve listed some of the best and effective foods or drinks that can help alleviate your stress levels, helping you be frazzle-free and enjoy life.
Dark Chocolate
This delightful treat can reduce your stress in two ways, including emotional and chemical impact. According to studies that followed individuals who ate around 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate daily for two weeks effectively reduced their stress levels by lowering the hormones in the body that cause stress, like cortisol. That’s because dark chocolate boasts high levels of antioxidants that combat these stress-inducing hormones, allowing you to enjoy your treat minus the stress, literally.
Leafy Greens
These vegetables can help you feel good because they contain a vitamin called folate, which helps produce feel-good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These brain chemicals help you alleviate your stress levels significantly, and most of these are rich in magnesium that also helps balance the stress hormone, cortisol. You can incorporate these greens into your favorite shake or dish. These foods include swiss chard, spinach, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus.
Herbal Tea
Sometimes the feeling of your favorite food or drinks helps reduce stress, not their nutrients. Tea is known for its soothing effects, making you feel relaxed with each sip. Studies show that sipping a warm cup of tea increases the interpersonal feelings of friendliness or warmth. Adding herbs like chamomile and lavender can increase the calming effects of the drink significantly.
Whole-Grain Foods
According to studies, carbohydrates can increase the levels of a feel-good neurotransmitter known as serotonin, boosting your mood and reducing stress temporarily. When this brain chemical is high, individuals under stress get better focus and concentration. Although you can get carbohydrates with your favorite cookies and cake, it’s better to opt for unrefined carbohydrates, including whole-grain foods, whole rye, buckwheat, and brown rice. Indulging in these foods help you feel and look better, giving you a win-win situation.
Salmon
Salmon is a fish packed with numerous health benefits, including helping in managing stress levels. When people get frazzled, our bodies tend to increase cortisol production, which can worsen your stress levels. The presence of omega-3 fatty acids in salmon reduces depression, anxiety, and stress by combating cortisol.
Avocados
Avocado is a versatile fruit that you can eat by itself or turn into delicious guacamole. According to the NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health), they’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids, known to improve concentration, improve mood, and reduce stress or anxiety.
Skip the junk food and fill up on these healthy anxiety-reducing foods to help you fight inevitable stress while maintaining good physical health, making you look and feel good.
