We live in a fast-paced world. The pressure of life at work and with family at home can be detrimental to your health. Luckily, certain foods can help to alleviate emotional anguish. The best foods to combat stress are ones that are low in sugars, high in fibers and rich in anti-oxidants. When you can’t help drowning in worry and anxiety, consider eating the foods listed below.
Green Tea
Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that activates endorphins in your body. These hormones will help you stay calm under pressure. Also, the caffeine in the tea helps your brain to be alert and focused. You have better chances of coming up with a solution to your problems after taking green tea.
Plain Yoghurt
This is a prebiotic food that will improve the count and activity of good bacteria in your stomach. Friendly gut bacteria not only help in digestion and absorption but they also activate happiness hormones. Then again, with a proper digestion, you will sleep better at night. Sleep in itself heals the mind and revitalizes a stressed body.
Kales – Foods to Kill Stress
Find a way to include some kales in your menu. Research by Harvard University revealed that kales contain essential anti-oxidants-carotenoids that help to relieve emotional tension. Subjects who had higher levels of this ant-oxidant exuded confidence and positivism. If kales sound like a tall order, consider another green leafy vegetable like spinach. Green vegetables activate the production of dopamine in the body to induce happiness. OatmealSavor a tasty bowl of oats in the morning. Oats are rich in fibers, and they also stimulate the production of serotonin, one of the happiness hormones. Furthermore, oats pack plenty of polyphenols that will lower your blood pressure in times of exasperation. The beta glucan fiber contained in oats is essential in lowering the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. This will save you from the risk of heart attack.
Milk
Your body needs a good dose of vitamin D to cope with mental pressure. Studies show a direct relation of Vitamin D with happiness. Milk contains more of these vital vitamins that will help to reduce your anxiety and depression. For the lactose intolerant, salmon or egg yolks will do the magic. You can also simply just sit outdoors and soak up the morning sunshine for a while.
The solution to a happy life is in the kitchen. The above healthy meals will help you combat stress and anxiety.