Facing Anxiety Issues? Foods that Can Help you Destress and Stay Calm

What you eat has a direct impact on your mind and body. There are certain foods that can trigger stress while there are some that can help you stay calm. While food is the easiest way to deal with stress right now rather than traveling or visiting friends, hope it helps you.

Impact of food on stress

Foods that are rich in Vitamin B complex can trigger the release of anxiety-easing and pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA. These foods include- chickpeas, lentils, milk, salmon, oatmeal, and beans. Foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can ease inflammation caused by chronic stress and help boost brain health. These foods include- walnuts, chia seeds, fatty fish, and sunflower seeds. Vitamin C rich foods can help boost the immune system like no other while reducing the impact of the stress hormone known as cortisol. These foods include- citrus fruits, lemon, broccoli, bell peppers, and strawberries. 

Foods that are high in flavonoids can ease unwanted symptoms of stress and tone down restlessness. Such foods include dark chocolate, citrusy fruits apples, soy products, and legumes. Having a cup of chamomile tea right before bedtime is known to induce sleep and trigger a sense of calmness. It is because of the presence of an antioxidant called apigenin that decreases anxiety and exerts a mild tranquilizing effect. Magnesium is an essential mineral that your body cannot produce on its own, and it is known to produce calming effects by decreasing excitability in the brain. It is profoundly found in pumpkin seeds and squash seeds.

What foods work to release feel-good hormones?

Food is associated with many emotions. It can bring comfort, reward, guilty pleasure, celebration, or nostalgia. The gut has a huge role to play in how we exhibit our emotions and if your gut is happy, you feel happy. Some foods help you make feel merrier by releasing the feel-good hormones, like: 

• Eggs: Eggs can do wonders for your health. In addition to various nutrients, eggs contain tryptophan that is responsible for the release of dopamine (a feel-good hormone) while making you all happy and healthy from both inside-out. Eggs are also packed with brain-boosting choline that aids in enhancing cognitive health memory. So, be it boiled, poached, scrambled, or tossed with your favourite veggies in an omelet- eggs can definitely boost your mood!
• Almonds and Walnuts: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for boosting your mood and regulating your digestion, appetite, and memory. The power nuts- almonds and walnuts can trigger the release of serotonin that further lifts your mood. Almonds and walnuts are packed with a great amount of omega 3 fatty acids and other essential vitamins and minerals that help in the smooth functioning of the body and brain. 
• Bananas- This versatile fruit is packed with brain-boosting tryptophan which is known to trigger the release of the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin. One of the major functions of serotonin is balancing the mood. In fact, serotonin can also ward off the signs of mild depression.
• Spinach – This healthy leafy green consists of a plethora of nutrients including phenylethylamine- which is a brain-stimulating organic compound. It triggers the release of dopamine which is further associated with the feeling of happiness and mood regulation.
• Dark Chocolate- Wonder why chocolate makes you feel good instantly? It’s the flavonoids and serotonin present in dark chocolate that serves as an instant mood enhancer creating a feeling of pleasure. However, make sure your dark chocolate contains at least 70% of cocoa. 

Over to you

It’s said and proven that when stressed, we like more of junk and processed food but the fact is several times, avoiding fried and fatty foods really helps you feel good from within. You can enjoy healthy and nutritious food as well!