Managing your diet to counteract stress is an effective way to wellness. Many foods can actually help you do this and by watching your diet, you can not only manage your stress, but also stop worrying about it manifesting itself into various other complications. For example, people under constant stress develop a suppressed immune system which makes them more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Some also become vulnerable to high blood pressure and heat-diseases.
Stress-busting foods work in several ways. Some boost levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is known to alter moods or by reducing cortisol and adrenalin, stress hormones associated with causing other complications and disrupting body processes over time. Finally, a good healthy diet can also counteract stress by boosting the immune system and lowering blood pressure. Some of these nutrients include, Vitamin C found in oranges, B and E found in almonds, magnesium of spinach, whole-grain, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, black teas, etc.
Living under stress for long periods can also stimulate the body to crave for a high-fat and carbohydrate diet. This is essentially because the body’s working to return to normal and begins to crave foods that are of high-energy and would at least temporarily help end high-stress trauma state. This can be overcome by taking foods such as sweet potatoes, bananas and avocadoes that are rich in fiber and arrest the craving for fatty food.
If you think your cravings for sugar has also increased with your stress levels and find yourself eating more candies to cope with your stress, worry not, because sweet potato is also an alternative for this. With high carb content, it manifests itself as a supplement for sugar.
Craving for sugary treats could also be overcome by eating dry fruits as an alternative. Dried apricots being a potential source of magnesium help in muscle relaxation naturally.
Tryptophan that is present in turkey is a natural sedative and helps reduce stress levels. It is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized by the body and requires to be taken in the diet.
Tryptophan is essential in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which effectively elevates the mood. This mood elevating brain chemical is an essential factor in controlling stress levels.
Fatty acids are another important source of stress-busting foods. Omega-3 found in fish like salmon can effectively control levels of cortisol and adrenalin, two hormones that the body uses in stressful situations.
Eating healthy is the simplest way to keep your stresses away. Managing your stress is the key to emotional, mental and physical health and wellness.
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