ANTI-STRESS FOODS YOU SHOULD BE EATING TO CRUSH YOUR STRESS

Life has become so stressful these days that it easily gets the best of you without your being conscious of it. You get stressed while working too many hours at a job we probably don’t like.

You also get stressed while moving around with the children for their school events, or other related extra-curricular activities.

Of course, their school authorities would love Mummy or Daddy to be present to watch their children in the Inter-house Sports events, Cultural or Career Day.

Already stressed in the office, you rush home to get into more stressful situations.

The physical, mental and emotional stress easily get on your way and you could begin to bark at the children. With their energy still intact, they could begin to wonder what’s wrong with Daddy or Mummy.

They are actually expecting to have a great time with you where you are taking them to. They would probably fail to understand the pressure and stress you’ve already gone through during the day.

Thus, you could damage their psyche, and they could become discouraged and perform below the expectation of everyone, including their school authorities.

 

However, there are certain measures you should adopt to combat stress as much as possible, when such circumstances arise.

These are dietary or nutritional measures that science has proven and recommended to help those who go through stressful work or business conditions in their daily engagements.

Apart from developing a good sleep pattern as a ‘self-care’ practice, there are certain foods you should be eating when you notice that stress is stealing into your daily affairs.

Such foods are rich in the mineral called magnesium. Magnesium is a phytonutrient or nutritional substance the body needs to function optimally. In fact, magnesium is vital for numerous biological processes in the body, which includes keeping our muscles and nerves working at proper levels (in relaxed mode). In addition, magnesium helps to maintain our blood and sugar levels at normal.

Magnesium also helps the body to manufacture protein and guarantees healthy bones.

Now, here are a list of some notable foods that are rich in magnesium (magnesium-rich foods), which you should incorporate in your daily diets or meals to reduce your stress level. These foods are also regarded as ‘calming foods’, and are as follows:

• Ø  Dark chocolate
• Ø  Bananas
• Ø  Pumpkin seeds
• Ø  Avocados
• Ø  Spinach
• Ø  Broccoli
• Ø  Chicken
• Ø  Eggs
• Ø  Fortified cereal
• Ø  Organ meats

These foods are usually given prominence in the “Mediterranean Diet”, renowned for stress reduction and the lowering of both high blood sugar and high BP.

Other foods that can be regarded as ‘anti-stress diets’ are:

Ø  Whole grains

Ø  Poultry

Ø  Green veggies

Ø  Fish

Ø  Fruits.

Once stress has set in and you want to reduce your stress level, you’re advised to avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, which many people resort to when life becomes particularly stressful. Instead, the above anti-stress foods are highly recommended to de-stress yourself from the pressure of life.

Stimulants and depressants like caffeine and alcohol can both zap your energy and rob you of the fuel you need to successfully cope with stress and tension.

Also to be avoided are sugary foods, as they cause your blood sugar levels to spike, then dip rapidly, which can in turn make your energy levels spike and dip at the same rate. 

However, there are several super-foods out there, (like the above) that can provide you with the energy and nutrition your body needs to keep stress in check

The above listed magnesium-rich foods, as well as asparagus, which are high in folic acid, can help level out your moods. Folic acid and vitamin B are key players in producing serotonin, a chemical that gets you into a good mood. 

In addition, (although we hear negative things regarding red meat), it’s actually a wise dinner option for a stressed-out family. Beef’s high levels of iron, zinc and B vitamins not only help get you into a good mood, but help you stay there as well. Your local butcher can help you to select lean cuts for the healthiest options.

On the other hand, milk really does your body good. Packed with calcium, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins B2 and B12, milk helps strengthen your bones and promotes healthy cell regeneration. Combined with a healthy whole-grain cereal diet in the morning, low-fat milk is a great way to start your day and arm yourself to do battle with the stressors that await you.

Cottage cheese is also another great dairy choice, and when coupled with a fruit that’s high in vitamin C, it helps the body battle free radicals that run rampant during your most stressed periods. 

Almonds are also an awesome choice when it comes to arming yourself against stress. They’re high in magnesium, zinc, as well as vitamins B2, C, and E and unsaturated fats, all which are great warriors against free radicals, which have been shown to cause cancers and heart diseases.     

In summary, the right nutrition or diet lifestyle is your panacea to the perennial stress the modern life is known for. And knowledge of the right diet is your power to thrive in these circumstances.