Stress and physical health are interrelated. A lot of the ailments people experience have a lot to do with the amount of stress you have to deal with every day. Stress can even cause several digestive problems. When you’re stressed out, the concentration of acid inside your stomach changes, which often leads to issues, such as cramps, constipation, bloating, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome. At times, it can even lead to peptic ulcers.
There is a way to combat all of these stress-related digestive problems, however. Maintaining a healthy diet not only protects our body from all these harmful physical effects, but it also helps delay the ageing process.
To fully function every day, you owe it to yourself to feed your brain and body the right way. Here are some ways you can achieve a healthier eating plan.
Breakfast Should Always Be A Priority
Start the day right with a hearty breakfast. You likely have heard this for many time, but breakfast truly is king, so make it a habit to grab a bite in the morning, whether it’s an egg sandwich or some fried chicken, before heading off to work or school.
If you skip breakfast regularly, it becomes difficult for the body to maintain stable blood-sugar levels. Increase your intake of high-fibre foods, such as cereals, oatmeals, fresh fruit, and whole-grain bread to keep you feeling full until lunchtime. Not only do these food products stabilize your blood-sugar levels, but they also jumpstart your metabolism for the entire day. When these happen, you’ll be able to remain focused at work and experience reduced anxiety and stress levels.
Cut Back on Your Caffeine and Alcohol
Working in a busy corporate environment can make anyone crave for caffeinated food, including coffee, soft drinks, tea, and chocolate. Now, it’s hard for many young professionals to start their day without a cup of coffee on hand. But it’s important to understand that no matter how reliant you have been on these types of food, they can be harmful to your overall well-being if not consumed in moderation.
Caffeine is capable of stimulating the production of the body’s primary stress hormone known as cortisol, which eventually causes anxiety. Notice how after a few cups of coffee, your hand starts shaking and suddenly you’re feeling worried about something but can’t figure out exactly what it is? Let it be clear that you don’t necessarily have to entirely remove coffee on your diet. But make sure to avoid these drinks when it’s already close to bedtime, as it can cause troubles in your sleep patterns.
The same can be said for alcohol consumption. After a difficult day at work, it can be truly tempting to go to a bar and grab a few glasses of wine or mugs of beer with your closest colleagues. But keep in mind that alcohol works as a depressant and a sedative, making it capable of altering the neurotransmitters in your brain. So, if you do need to drink, make sure it’s not in excess.
Feeling stressed and anxious can affect your day-to-day activities. It’s important to maintain a balanced diet and an active lifestyle to keep your health and wellbeing at its top condition.
