It is a sad truth that stress and anxiety have become everyday companions for a lot of us. Though it can be challenging, there are a lot of smart ways to deal with stress and anxiety at home. The most effective way is a good and healthy diet. Certain food items can help you feel better and soothe out the tension.
Here are the best foods to ease stress and anxiety
1. Dark Chocolate
Some researchers have found that daily consumption of dark chocolate for two weeks can help reduce stress hormones like cortisol and catecholamines in our body. Other benefits of dark chocolate include improvement in blood flow, improved memory, lower risk of heart diseases, and mitigated blood pressure.
2. Chamomile
Chamomile has properties that relax you almost instantly, hence it is great for people who deal with insomnia, anxiety, and stress. Also available in the form of cream, tinctures, liquid extracts, and capsules. Chamomile tea is popularly called “stress-soothing tea.” After consuming chamomile you may feel drowsy. It can help you sleep better.
3. Matcha Tea
Matcha and Green Tea differ from each other. Matcha is a plant that is mostly grown in parts of Japan. The tea is dark green because of the high levels of chlorophyll in the plant. Research conducted on humans and animals showed that consumption of Matcha tea regularly helped to relieve stress and anxiety. It offers other benefits like weight loss and prevention of heart diseases.
4. Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard is a highly nutritious green leafy vegetable which has high levels of Vitamin K. The vegetable also has certain nutrients that help manage panic attacks and anxiety. Other benefits include combating cancer, preventing osteoporosis, improving energy levels, and lower blood pressure levels.
5. Eggs
Eggs are power-packed with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids. All of these are essential for a healthy diet. It also contains choline which is a helpful nutrient to reduce stress and regulate mood swings. Eggs also contribute to higher energy levels for your body.
6. Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are rich in amino acids like tryptophan which help in increasing serotonin in the body. This results in making the body and brain feel much calmer and happier. Kidney beans are also rich in manganese, potassium, copper, iron, folate, protein, and molybdenum. All these nutrients promote colon health, moderate blood sugar levels, and aid in weight loss as well.
7. Green Tea
Green tea has theanine that has calming effects on the brain and body. Regular consumption of green tea also increases the production of dopamine and serotonin. It can definitely be a suitable replacement for unhealthy drinks, alcohol, and coffee. Other benefits include weight loss, prevention of heart diseases, reduction of bad breath, and an all body detox.
8. Cashews
Cashews have nutrients like zinc, protein, iron, fiber, potassium, and calcium along with good amounts of magnesium and zinc that help to stabilize energy levels, reduce stress, and regulate the nervous system. These nuts can uplift your mood instantly; however, it is important to keep a check on its consumption. A healthy amount is usually less than two handfuls of cashews per day.
9. Brown Rice
Brown rice is filled with good vitamins and minerals that are essential for the production of serotonin and dopamine. These hormones regulate our mood. It also has thiamine that reduces anxiety and other symptoms like insomnia, headaches, stress, and more. Adding brown rice to your diet has several benefits for both our wellness and health.
10. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have great amounts of minerals like magnesium which helps to calm the mind and improves the overall mood. It also has potassium that is good for heart health. Regular consumption of sweet potatoes can also help lower the stress hormones in the body making you feel less anxious. Other benefits include improved gut health, better immune system, and increased energy levels.
11. Blueberries
Blueberries have numerous health benefits and one of them is relaxation and improvement in the mood. They have high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants that provide relief from anxiety. Some researchers discovered that these tiny berries have hidden novel antidepressants. Hence, blueberries are a good choice for people who struggle with anxiety and depression.
Along with a healthy diet plan you must also develop a healthy exercise regime. You may try different low/medium intensity exercises including yoga, meditation, and running to stay fit and feel great. It is a fact that a healthy mind can only reside in a healthy body. We hope this helped.
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