Instead of turning to medications and other unnatural forms of stress relief, help boost your mood with some tasty tension tamers! Nothing like eating your favorite foods for medical purposes!
Here are 4 top food choices to reduce stress:
1. Dark Chocolate. A little indulgence goes a long way! Research suggests that dark chocolate has stress-relieving properties. One study found that women who ate the most dark chocolate over ten years had lower blood pressure than those who ate the least. Another study found a reduction in a stress hormone in people who ate dark chocolate more often. Stick to one or two small squares a day – the last thing you need is to start stressing out over a little weight gain!
2. Avocados. This green fruit is loaded with potassium and monounsaturated fatty acids(MUFAS), both of which can lower blood pressure. MUFAS may also help fight off depression. In an 11-year study, the more MUFAs participants ate, the less likely they were to be depressed, suggesting that fat may improve how the brain absorbs serotonin! Avocados are high in fat and calories, so cut the fruit into 4 servings.
3. Black Tea. A London study found that participants who drank four cups of black tea every day for 6 weeks had lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and reported feeling more relaxed after stressful situations than those who didn’t drink the tea. Tea has many other benefits too, but helping you recover from stressful situations and lowering cortisol levels may just be one of its best perks yet!
4. Fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are an important part of a low-stress diet, as they help to moderate stress hormones and protect against depression. Aim for three ounces of fatty fish at least twice a week, or a handful of walnuts every day. Don’t like fish or walnuts? Make sure you at least take a fish oil supplement!
How about a stress-free dose of avocado chocolate mousse?? Click here for a recipe!
