By Chef K.T. Murphy
Healthy Soothing Foods For Stressful Days:
What is your response to a stressful day? If you’re like millions of other people, your go to stress relief aid is food. And why not? Food makes you feel good, and should be harmless, right? Well, not fully.
It depends a lot on what you do eat, as there are tons of foods out there that can actually add to your stress bottom line, making you develop an impulse eating disorder. This occurs when you turn to food at every instance of stress- this not being a good response.
Which leads you here- your quest for good foods that can relieve stress. Let’s explore your best stress busting options.
Leafy Vegetables
Yes we know, after facing a touch day you don’t want veggies, but think of this as effective insurance. Green leady vegetables, such as spinach, are rich in folate, important in the synthesis of neurotransmitters that regulate mood. In addition, these leafy vegetables also help relax you, which is exactly what you need following a hard day.
Rich Dark Chocolate
This is one indulgence we won’t take away from you, given that you indeed eat the dark variety. Dark chocolate has in recent years been found to have profound stress relieving effects, via two mechanisms. One, it promotes synthesis of mood enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain that promote mood, along with a specific one named anandamide. Anandamide leads to an immediate release of stress and anxiety, and in the Sanskrit, language means bliss.
The other way it works to bust stress is to actively reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to a cascade of negative effects.
Have Some Fish
You know that omega-3 fats are good for you right? Well apart from their well-established benefits on heart health and even brain function, turns out it can also help when you’re dealing with stressful days.
How so?
Apart from omega-3 fats being able to actively keep cortisol levels in check, it can also prevent adrenalin from spiking too often. Adrenalin and cortisol together produce a “fight or flight” response, keeping you jittery, anxious and in a state of chronic excitability. After a stressful day, all you really need to hit the reset is sleep!
Green Tea
Green tea can work magic when you’re feeling stressed. This is possible due to the presence of an amino acid known as L-theanine, which improves cognition and mental resilience. This particular compound will also help you keep a level head when under a lot of stress, so drink up!
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is an excellent snack that is also good for you, being rich in protein and calcium. The amino acids contained in yogurt’s protein also help to boost endorphin production, meaning that you will feel better after having some. Dairy also has the same effect, and explains why some people swear on drinking milk before bed to help them sleep.
Blueberries
Many people don’t know, but berries (and blueberries more so) are some of the richest anti-oxidants on the planet. These anti-oxidants are particularly important when your cortisol levels are higher than normal, as it can help buffer the negative effects of inflammation and oxidation. A handful of blueberries also help you meet your Vitamin C requirements- as Vitamin C needs to be consumed.
Conclusion
Don’t be so fast to go for junk food it so hard after getting home from a stressful day, or during the day itself. A little conscious thought will help soothe you, and actually be good for you. Be sure to top off your food choices with a generous portion of sleep and drink plenty of water. When your stressed you start to dehydrate.
All the best
XoxoX
