Foods to reduce stress and anxiety

If we believe recent reports, modern life causes the most stress that man has ever felt, so it is not surprising that more and more of us are developing anxiety and stress-related health issues. Whilst a little stress can be a good thing, too much can be highly detrimental to both physical and mental health, and can have a significant impact upon the wellbeing of our families.

Eat well to feel good

Stress can manifest itself in a number of ways. Classic anxiety and panic symptoms include breathing difficulties, headaches, insomnia, depression, a racing heart, irritability, blurry vision, and a loss of interest in life. Symptoms differ from person to person, and can end in creating a vicious circle, with people anxious about being anxious.

In the past, drugs controlled anxiety and panic attacks, but these are no longer the only treatment. Stress and anxiety can be reduced and kept under control without having to resort to prescription medication. Instead, we can simply reform our daily diets by including a few superfoods that will help us to de-stress.

Take asparagus. One common symptom of anxiety is depression, which can be triggered by low levels of folic acid. Just a few asparagus stalks are all you need to feel better, boosting your folic acid levels by two-thirds. Asparagus is easy to team with other foods too: it can be chopped up and thrown into an omelet, for example, or grilled or steamed as a vegetable side dish.

Blueberries have been considered a superfood for a few years now, containing powerful antioxidants and Vitamin C. These two help to repair and protect our body’s cells, enabling us to face whatever the day throws at us. They are versatile too; blend them up with yoghurt for smoothies, top your breakfast cereal with them, or simply grab a handful as a mid-morning snack.

Almonds are perhaps the most recent nut to be labeled a superfood. Almonds are rich in vitamins B2 and E, which help to bolster our immune systems when we are a little run down. They are great as a snack, but can also be eaten in the form of almond butter for spreading on toast or crackers.

Fish is often considered food for the brain, but salmon can also help your body to feel more relaxed. It contains those all-important omega-3 fatty acids. These keep adrenaline and cortisol at manageable levels and help prevent spikes when stress starts to hit.

It is not just food, though, that can help with tension. Drinks are also beneficial. For example, Jasmine Green Tea contains theanine, an amino acid, which boosts mental performance and can protect against certain cancers. It contains just a hint of caffeine, so replace your coffee with just two cups of this drink every day to feel the benefits.

It certainly does appear to be true that we are what we eat, so we should all be sure to take steps to prevent avoidable stress by altering our diets to include foods that are not only good for our bodies but good for our minds too.

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