Health & Fitness
Eat Healthy foods to Reduce Stress
Best Foods and the Nutrients they have which help reduce levels of Stress hormones, headache, and fatigue....
If you take the time to focus on how you're feeling and what activities (including eating) lead to those feelings, you may realize that certain emotions are correlated with food choices. It's truly unbelievable how much of an role food plays in our lives. And while it's common knowledge that healthy eating can reduce stress levels, it's also important to remember that stressed individuals often turn towards junk food as a coping mechanism--even though this will likely worsen their moods. While everyone is different, here is general advice for using healthy eating habits to lower stress levels.
The Best Foods to Make You Happy
Are you the type of person to pour themselves a hot beverage or make some soup when feeling down? That's not by chance.Our brainlinks warm drinks like milk coffee and hot chocolate to notions of comfort and safety (usually experienced in winter). The same goes for oatmeal and soup. Eating these sorts of foods allows your brain to release serotonin, which has calming effects that can reduce stress levels and improve moods.
The other option is complex carbs. The fact that you're drawn to unhealthy foods when you're stressed is your brain's way of asking for comfort. Carbs can influence our serotonin levels, making us feel happier after eating them. Although often times people turn to candy bars or unhealthy snacks when they want to relax, the large amount of oils and fats in these foods can actually end up making you feel worse. Try making a healthier dish like pasta or bread instead; complex carbs take longer to digest and will make you feel fuller as well as release serotonin in your brain gradually rather than all at once like sugary snacks do.
How Vitamin C Can Help Lower Cortisol Levels in the Body
Vitamin C is a powerhouse of benefits and tastes great too. Consuming oranges or taking vitamin C supplements can help you boost your immune system, making you less likely to get the flu or come down with a cold. In addition, Vitamin C can also help lower cortisol levels. When present in high amounts, cortisol is a stress hormone that can make stress worse and lead to fatigue, headaches and anxiety.Did you know that oranges are not only refreshing and delicious, but they can actually help improve your focus and Relaxation? That's right! A recent study found that eating just one orange before beginning a stressful task lowered participants' cortisol levels. So the next time you're feeling frazzled at work, try reaching for an Orange first!
Adding magnesium to your diet can help reduce fatigue and headaches.
Consuming too little magnesium can result in long-lasting fatigue, headaches, and joint pain -- all of which are also caused by high stress levels. Spinach (or any other leafy greens) is a great way to get rid of a headache, and the perfect stress meal is a bowl of spinach and tomato pasta. Making the pasta yourself can be therapeutic because it's linked to serotonin levels in your head.
Improve Your Mood by Adding Omega-3 Acids to Your Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids are important minerals that you may not know exist. Try to eat naturally fatty fish at least twice a week to get these essential nutrients. Omega-3s can help reduce surges in stress hormones, keep serotonin and dopamine levels in check, reduce cholesterol and improve blood circulation. In addition to protecting your heart and reducing stress, omega-3s can help withPMSto make it more manageable. A recommended amount is 3.5 ounces of fatty fish twice a week.
Did you know that a handful of nuts could help to reduce cholesterol and stress hormones?
When aiming to lead a healthier lifestyle and reduce stress, eat foods like pistachios. Not only do they help control cholesterol levels and lower stress, but they also ease inflammation in the heart's arteries and offer protection from diabetes.
To sum up, these five practices can support you in handling stress more productively. Mind though that how food affects the brain varies from person to person, so it's crucial to heed your body and work out what it needs.
