Whether it be issues with relationships, employment, or self-esteem, we all have different life stressors. Your diet may be contributing to your inability to unwind if you never seem to be able to. It’s tempting to reach for high-calorie, processed foods when our brains are overworked because they provide us a quick lift before a painful crash. Treat your body like a temple while you’re under stress, and your mental health will benefit. Here are some of our top picks for boosting energy and lowering daily stress.
1. Avocado Oil
Put down the ranch dressing and top your salad with two tablespoons of healthy olive oil.
Regular use of olive oil has been shown to increase serotonin. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which has undergone little processing and is packed with beneficial phenols, is what we advise choosing. To ensure that the advantages of your olive oil don’t diminish, store it in a cool, dark location and make sure the lid is constantly on.
2. Spinach
When it comes to spinach, many people make funny faces, but we’re not talking about the limp, wilted kind. For a cool treat, mix fruit, almonds, and goat cheese into a raw spinach salad. Folic acid, which is abundant in this food, helps our bodies generate serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters will promote calm as opposed to elevated cortisol and hyped-up adrenaline. The most delicious method to consume folic acid.
3. White Tea
We advise switching to black tea if you require a stimulating, caffeinated beverage to get you through the morning. Black tea really decreases cortisol and stress hormones faster than herbal tea drinkers, whereas coffee gives you the jitters all day long. Tea has a variety of beneficial compounds, including catechins, flavonoids, and polyphenols. All of those expressions simply mean that drinking black tea will make your neurotransmitters content.
4. peppers, red
Red peppers are one of our go-to snacks when sliced up and coated in hummus since they’re loaded with vitamin C, which fights against stress hormones and unfavorable free radicals. The antioxidants will last much longer if you consume them fresh, like in our suggested hummus recipe. You can also obtain your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C this way, though, if you prefer them in a stir-fry.
5. Oats carved in steel
Fiber is often abundant in oats, which is important for your health and maintaining a regular gut. Steel cut oats, on the other hand, have the highest concentration of nutrients and can help you control your blood sugar. We get into issues when our blood sugar increases and drops as a result of refined sugar.
6. wheat-based pretzels
Want to eat something for a snack but don’t want to grab a bag of chips? Grab some whole-wheat pretzels to munch on! These are the ideal salty snack, whether they are small or enormous. They offer a satisfying mix of fiber and carbohydrates that encourages our brain to manufacture more serotonin. Avoid alternatives from bars or street cart pretzels since they may be greasy and not made with whole wheat.
7. A deep chocolate
If you concentrate on the “bean to bar” ratio, which means more cacao and natural components rather than manufactured goods made by Hershey’s, chocolate can be a real stress-reliever. Dark chocolate can help you relax when it doesn’t contain added sugar and has antioxidant and mental advantages.
8. squash seeds
When you’re under stress, sometimes you just need to gnaw on something, and raw or roasted pumpkin seeds can really satisfy your cravings. Magnesium, which is abundant in pumpkin seeds and other nuts like almonds, reduces levels of tension and fatigue. For an addicting extra crunch, sprinkle some of them onto a salad or dish.
9. Strawberries
Consider pairing some strawberries with your dark chocolate while you’re at it for the ultimate healthful and romantic treat. These berries provide a surprising amount of fiber and vitamin C. Numerous studies have demonstrated that vitamin C lowers cortisol levels, which ordinarily rise during stressful times.
10. Oysters
Yes, enjoying your favorite happy hour treat is excellent for you. The fact that these little, slimy delights have a massive zinc content (400% more than the recommended daily allowance) in addition to being a potent aphrodisiac is fantastic news. In addition to boosting our immune system and reducing stress and inflammation, zinc itself is an antioxidant.
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