Wouldn’t it be great if there were foods that reduced stress? That sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Yet, the fact is that there are plenty of foods that can help you reduce your stress levels. Quite surprisingly, some of the foods work so well that they can even outperform pharmaceuticals.
We all have stress, but there are many ways that you can manage this issue. In this article, we will be focusing on using food to reduce your stress, but it is important to note that meditation and massage are both effective as well. Like eating the right foods, they come with no potentially negative health consequences. Many of the foods we will cover work by helping reduce inflammation in the body, which can help you with everything from reducing your workout recovery time to combating the effects of smoking.
1Chamomile Tea
Simply stated, chamomile tea works. People have been consuming chamomile tea for centuries to help reduce anxiety and stress and even as a sleep aid. While chamomile can make one a bit sleepy, it is also true that chamomile tea is an excellent way to help one calm down and relax. Best of all, chamomile tea is very safe even if one is drinking several cups a day. Just remember to skip the DNA damaging sugar.
2Turmeric
It is difficult to sing the praises of turmeric enough. This orange colored spice is often found in Indian cuisine. Turmeric fights inflammation, and anti-inflammatory foods can combat stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. Often turmeric is used in conjunction with our next anti-stress food, ginger.
3Ginger
The same “old” ginger that you’ve likely been taking for granted your entire life is the same ginger that can help fight inflammation. Like chamomile tea, ginger is very safe and rarely does it cause a negative reaction. Ginger is also extremely versatile as it can be drank in tea form or the root can be eaten. One of the best ways to get more ginger in your diet is to add it to juices.
4Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as spinach are high in magnesium. Magnesium is depleted when the body is under stress. Since leafy greens are high in magnesium, consuming more of them can help your body manage stress. Eating more leafy greens also has the added benefit of giving your body a significant nutritional boost which means better overall health.
5Omega-3 Fatty Acid Rich Foods
Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids are another way to help your body fight stress. Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties and thus can help you reduce the impact of stress. Wild Alaskan salmon, anchovies, sardines, chia seeds and walnuts are all excellent sources of both protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Further, omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to help protect both heart and brain health.
Eating these five foods will do more than help you through tough times, they will also help improve your overall health. All of the changes outlined in this article are easy ones to incorporate into your life and daily routine, but they will make a big difference in how you feel.
