What if someone tells you that the food you eat has an impact on your mood? Would you believe him? I mean are there really certain foods for stress relief that one must consume. Thus, it must be a Myth. Right? WRONG!
Certain foods can turn your frown upside down. You may have heard about this somewhere but here we provide you concise yet efficient details about how foods can make your mood better. The foods you eat have physical, emotional, and mental effects on your body. How?
1) Food provides you energy.
2) Food Helps you think clearly.
3) Food Stabilizes your mood.
Everyone is busy these days. Tensions of work, school, spouse, children, etc. have caused a rise in the anxiety level in a person. So, if your diet is not including certain foods, then the chances of anxiety are high.
What are the Foods for stress relief we can consume?
No one wants to stress in life. Unfortunately, it is a part and parcel of life. However, we can do some things to suppress it. Eating “right” food is one of them. You should eat these foods to make your mood better:
1) Bananas:
Bananas are rich in fiber, Vitamin B, and sugar which help in stabilizing the mood. Bananas are important to maintain blood sugar levels. If blood sugar is is low, then a human has mood swings and a sense of irritation. Thus, bananas prevent such feelings to rise.
2) Berries:
Berries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants manage to increase serotonin, and reduce depression,. Moreover, antioxidants also curb mood swings. Therefore, berries are an efficient mood stabilizer.
3) Oranges:
Oranges are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is proven to reduce the Cortisol hormone, a hormone responsible for stress. Moreover, oranges improve immunity in humans, so the chances of diseases occur become very less. Thus, a healthy body means a better mood.
4) Nuts:
Nuts are rich in essential oils, fiber, vitamins. Proteins and healthy fat (Omega-3). All these play an active role in proper brain functioning. Therefore, experts recommend eating nuts in the morning. Eat them with oats or milk.
- Quick Tip: Never miss Breakfast! Breakfast provides you the energy necessary to carry out daily works efficiently.
5) Fish:
Healthy fat Omega-3 is present in fish like Salmon, Sardines, etc. Omega-3 is important for the brain to work properly. So, a stable mind means a stable mood. In addition to that, Omega-3 lowers bad cholesterol levels and maintains blood pressure. That’s why American Heart Association recommends eating fish twice for better health.
6) Spinach:
If you have seen Popeye the sailor man, then you are probably familiar with the power of Spinach. Spinach is rich in magnesium and folate. Spinach is one of the most nutrient-rich leafy vegetables. It can reduce anxiety, fatigue and provide relief from headaches. Hence, include it in your diet.
7) Avocado:
Avocado is rich in Vitamin B6. This Vitamin is important for Serotonin production. Serotonin is a hormone that reduces stress and makes your mood better. Therefore, add avocado to your diet. It can be a great addition to salads. Also, Avocadoes are rich in folate. Folate’s deficiency causes anxiety and stress. So, it is a good food to boost mood.
Can we eat all Foods for stress relief?
Not every food can calm your nerves. Therefore, you cannot eat everything without considering how it will impact your health and mood. If you want to live a stress-free life, you have to avoid these foods:
1) Processed items are not the food for stress relief:
Processed foods are harmful to the human body. Processed foods include cakes, pies, canned meat, bread, cheese, etc. These foods cause obesity, diabetes, and an increase in cholesterol. Hence, an unhealthy person cannot have a good mood. Therefore, processed foods increase stress levels indirectly.
2) Alcohol and Caffeine increase anxiety:
Alcohol negatively impacts your liver and kidneys. Moreover, hangover after drinking is irritating too. Both of these only increase stress in a person. Caffeine, on the other hand, provides you energy quickly but then gives you anxiety later. Similarly, caffeine also disturbs the sleep cycle.
3) Eating other unhealthy foods aggravate stress:
These include Pizza, burgers, Bacon, sausages, cakes, etc. These foods cause heart problems and high blood pressure. Moreover, high blood pressure doesn’t allow you to stay calm for a longer period. Everything angers a person with high blood pressure. So, such types of foods should be avoided.
All-inclusive, stress and anxiety are rising nowadays especially during covid times. There are certain foods for stress relief you can consume as foods affect human feelings and emotions. When you feel down, food can cheer you up. But if you eat “wrong” food, it can cause anxiety and stress. So, what kind of mood you want is up to you. You are what you eat!