Foods that Alleviate Stress
We are all going through an unprecedented amount of stress right now. In some way we have been impacted by this pandemic and/or the economic recession.
You may not even be aware of how this added stress is affecting you, since it often shows up as other symptoms.
A few signs to look out for include:
Inability to concentrate,
Anxious or racing thoughts,
Depression or general unhappiness,
Moodiness,
Irritability,
Anger,
Feeling overwhelmed,
Aches and pains,
Diarrhea or constipation,
Sleeping too much or too little, and
Eating more or less.
This last sign of eating more or less can make us feel even worse because of the foods we select when we’re stressed. When our bodies feel under pressure we instinctively produce cortisol, the stress hormone. This instinct was great when we were being chased by a Tiger, but not so great for times like now. Cortisol LOVES carbohydrates and sugar. So most often when we’re stressed we go for the chips, cakes, cupcakes, and candy or just load up on anything with potatoes. While these foods are feeding the cortisol, they’re actually worsening your mood and creating a cycle in which you just crave more of them. Now these foods are not BAD foods. Unless something is overly processed, I don’t label it bad. But, eating large amounts of these foods everyday isn’t helping you or your mood.
How do we stop the cortisol craving cycle? Here is a list of several foods that actually slow the production of cortisol so we begin to feel less stress. The key to these foods are the high levels of Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin B, Omega-3 fatty acids, and Probiotics they contain.
Vegetables
Kale
Broccoli
Dark leafy greens
Asparagus
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Carrots
Seafood and Meat
Oysters
Wild caught salmon (salmon in general, but wild caught is the healthiest)
Trout
Anchovies
Sardines
Turkey
Fruits
Avocados
Blueberries
Oranges
Grapefruit
Others
Dark chocolate
Legumes (beans and peas)
Nuts and seeds, especially cashews, pistachios, and pumpkin seeds
Kefir
Yogurt
Kombucha
Sauerkraut
Herbal (caffeine free) teas, especially chamomile, Valerian root, and lemon balm
Whether you think you’re feeling stressed or not, try incorporating some of these foods into your diet and see if you begin to feel a little more relaxed.