Stress is a part of life. It’s important to have ways to combat it that work for you! In this blog post, we’ll be talking about 5 foods that can help your body relax and relieve stress. We’re going to go in depth on the nutrient content found in these foods which will provide you with an understanding of how they can ease your tension and make you feel calmer.
Nothing, including stress, can ever repair the harm that it causes to your body. Work deadlines and other environmental factors encourage stress and impede the body’s natural defenses. Fortunately, there are several things you may do to fight stress. Healthy eating has a beneficial impact on reducing stress in a natural and immediate way.
Table of Contents
Here are the foods that will help you fight stress:
1. Blueberries
Blueberries are a great stress reliever. It has antioxidants, which restore and rejuvenate cells in the body damaged by stress and anxiety. It neutralizes free radicals in the body, preventing cell damage. It also improves the body’s reaction to stress and anxiety. Blueberries also boost immunity, which is critical for lowering stress.
Blueberries are low in sugar and high in fiber, which makes them a healthy snack. They’re also delicious! You can eat blueberries plain or add them to your cereal at breakfast time.
If you don’t like eating raw food, try stirring some berries into Greek yogurt for an afternoon treat that will give you energy while helping reduce stress.
You can also try this Blueberry Banana Smoothie, which is a great treat to start your morning with! This recipe will provide you with about one cup of blueberries.
Banana brings the perfect amount of sweetness, while yogurt provides protein and calcium for an extra nutrient boost. You’ll get all the benefits of stress-reducing antioxidants and a healthy immune boost from blueberries, plus potassium for lower stress levels.
This smoothie is also very easy to make! Just blend everything together in a food processor or blender until it’s nice and creamy.
2. Dark chocolate
This could be a dream come true for chocolate enthusiasts. Not all chocolates have the ability to combat stress effectively, but dark chocolate with its tranquilizing properties. Consumption of dark chocolate has been linked to a reduction in cortisol, the stress hormone, which relaxes the body and lowers blood pressure. Because of its high antioxidant content, cocoa has a positive effect on the immune system, which is critical for dealing with stress.
Dark chocolate also enhances mood by releasing serotonin and dopamine, two feel-good chemicals in the brain that have a calming effect. It’s important not to go overboard when it comes to dark chocolate because it does contain sugar and fat so you don’t want too much of these things in your diet.
You can enjoy a small piece of dark chocolate as an after-dinner treat to reduce stress and protect yourself from the effects of cortisol on your body. You should also remember that different types of dark chocolates have different levels of cocoa content, so be sure you’re getting 70% or more if you want it to be most effective.
You can also make this delicious Dark Chocolate Fondue with Strawberries to enjoy the benefits of dark chocolate and strawberries at once!
Just melt some dark chocolate in a pot over low heat, then dip your favorite fruit into it for a healthy treat that will help you manage stress effectively.
3. Avocados
Avocados can help you fight stress if you are not attempting to lose weight. The creamy fruit includes glutathione, which inhibits the absorption of fats that cause oxidative damage. The fruit also makes you feel fuller for longer, which helps to reduce stress and promote good health. Because it is high in lipids, keep your intake to half an avocado per day.
You can also try this Avocado and Tomato Salad, which is a delicious combination of avocados and tomatoes with the addition of some cucumber for good measure!
With its fresh taste and crunchy texture, you will feel better after eating this salad to fight stress. You can also add quinoa or corn if you want some extra carbs to combat stress.
This salad is also very easy to make! Just dice up all your ingredients, mix them together in a bowl and serve with your favorite dressing for an afternoon snack that will help you relax while preventing cell damage from free radicals.
4. Cashews
Cashews have long been a great snack, but they offer an added benefit. The crunchy nut is high in proteins and omega-3s that help to curb appetites and make you feel full. They’re high in zinc, which can assist with stress relief. Zinc deficiency is a common cause of stress and anxiety. So, getting your fill of zinc-rich foods is important.
Cashews are also great because you can just eat them as a snack, or use them in other recipes to help reduce stress! For example, these tasty Cashew Chicken Nuggets are sure to be a crowd pleaser for lunch or dinner and they’re perfect with some broccoli on the side.
5. Salmon
Salmon has several health advantages, the most notable being stress reduction. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are an effective anti-inflammatory substance. It has been proven to help reduce stress hormone cortisol and other stress hormones as well as induce a soothing effect. People who consume salmon on a regular basis exhibited less anxiety than those that did not.
You can also try this delicious Salmon Salad with Lemon Dressing, which is a light and refreshing salmon salad that’s great for summer!
Just dice up some of your favorite veggies to make the perfect combination. Toss them in olive oil with lemon juice, salt and pepper for an easy meal or side dish that will help you feel calm and relaxed.
If salmon isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other foods that can help you manage stress! Eating a variety of healthy foods is key to combatting cortisol levels in the body. Eat lots of veggies, dark chocolate, avocados, cashews and more for good health overall.
You could also try these other top foods that help to reduce stress: Pecans, Flax Seeds & Walnuts
FAQ
What foods trigger anxiety?
- Sugary foods
- Dairy products like cheese and milk
- Spicy dishes with hot peppers or other spices that may cause you to feel uncomfortable in social situations.
- Alcoholic beverages because their effects can cause mood swings and anxiety.
What foods help fight off stress?
Foods that contain magnesium, like dark chocolate or nuts: magnesium helps your body’s muscles relax to counter the negative physical effects of stress on your mind and body. Magnesium is also a great source of energy when your body is exhausted from stress.
Which fruit relieves stress?
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Strawberries
- Oranges.
The sweet fruit helps you feel full for a longer period of time and also contains vitamins C & B-complex that help to reduce stress hormone cortisol levels. The immunity boost from oranges can prevent illness, which is another source of stress that people have to deal with.
Bananas are also great because they have the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter linked to mood balance and happiness, so eating bananas regularly can help improve your overall mindset!
Grapefruits contain vitamin C as well as potassium that will help you feel more relaxed by counteracting the effects of stress hormones that can have negative impacts on your body.
Which food helps increase good mood?
Oranges, bananas and grapefruits are a great choice to help boost your mood! The vitamin C in these fruits is linked with positive emotions because it increases levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. High levels of dopamine and serotonin can improve your mood and give you a more positive outlook on life.
Which food lowers cortisol levels?
Oatmeal, bananas and almonds are great for lowering stress hormone cortisol that causes negative effects such as anxiety or weight gain. These foods will help to lower the amount of cortisol in your system so it’s easier to manage daily stress levels.
What are the benefits of eating cashews?
Cashews have many health advantages for combating stress, including being high in magnesium to help your body’s muscles relax so you feel less anxious or tense during stressful moments. They are also a good source of fiber and healthy fats that can be beneficial when trying to lose weight because they will make you feel full.
What is the best stress relief food?
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to relieve some of your daily stress, try snacking on dark chocolate! It contains antioxidants that can help reduce blood pressure levels while also combating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Plus, it’s simply delicious so who wouldn’t want to give it a try?
Are apples good for anxiety?
Apples are a great choice to help lower cortisol levels that cause anxiety, stress and weight gain. The antioxidants in apples can also decrease inflammation throughout the body which could potentially improve your mood as well!
Which nuts reduce anxiety?
Studies have shown that people who eat more magnesium-rich foods may experience less severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Walnuts are one of the best choices because they also contain omega-three fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
What drink reduces stress?
Tea helps relax the mind and body, which is a great way to reduce stress! The warm liquid will soothe your nerves as you sip it throughout the day if you find yourself feeling particularly anxious or overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
Hot chocolate has many benefits including being a great source of magnesium, which helps increase energy and lower stress levels. It is also high in antioxidants that can help you feel more relaxed by improving your cognitive function.
Does lemon water reduce anxiety?
Studies have shown that lemon water can help reduce anxiety because it contains the amino acid L-theanine, which has been linked with reducing stress. The vitamin C in lemons will also boost your immune system to prevent illness, another common cause of stress!
Is apple cider vinegar good for weight loss?
Apple cider vinegar is a great choice to help you achieve your weight loss goals because it can also lower cortisol levels that are responsible for stress, anxiety and appetite control. Drinking one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar every morning before breakfast is a great way to stay on track with your fitness routine!