Stressed, over-stretched or anxious? We feel you. When life gets busy, try these superfoods to calm your mind and nourish your body.
Straight talking – stress is really bad for our health. We all have stress triggers – a busy week at work, tensions at home or even just a bout of bad weather. All sorts of things can make us feel anxious, but it’s really important to keep stress levels under control. And luckily, there’s a whole load of food that can help us do just that!
Next time you get those telltale signs of anxiety, try whipping up a meal with these stress-busting super foods. Take your time, enjoy every bite and see if it helps you relax. Once you’ve found the foods that work for you, incorporate them into your weekly meals and reap the benefits on a regular basis.
Avocado
Is there anything the humble avocado can’t do? As well as healthy fats that are good for your skin, hair and nails, avocado is also rich in vitamins and minerals including vitamin B which is known to fight stress, and potassium which lowers blood pressure.
Seeds
Flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are all great sources of magnesium, a mineral that may help regulate emotions and could alleviate depression, tiredness and irritability. Magnesium also helps fight PMS symptoms, so make sure you’re stocked up on seeds for the month!
Dark chocolate
The antioxidants in cocoa help the walls of your blood vessels to relax, lowering your blood pressure and improving circulation, so dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa is great for calming the body. It also contains a unique natural substance that creates a sense of euphoria, a bit like being in love… so great for the mind, too!
Blueberries
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients which help improve your body’s response to stress and fight stress-related free radicals. They also boost white blood cells in the body – cells that are vital for our immune system, which helps keep stress at bay.
Turkey
Turkey contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which helps the body produce serotonin – also know as the ‘happy hormone’. Serotonin is a chemical that regulates feelings of happiness and wellbeing, and turkey (along with eggs, nuts, fish, lentils and oats) can help boost that chemical.
