4 Foods That Help Fight Stressful Days
All of us have our own plate of stress handed to us daily. Sometimes the plate is empty and sometimes it is overflowing with stressful events and tasks. For most people, just the slightest feeling of stress has them running to the vending machine to down a sugary soda and candy bar. It’s true that stress makes us binge eat. However, what if we took stress head on with some healthy foods that actually fight stress?
Green Leafy Vegetables
When you are feeling stressed, the last thing you probably want to do is to eat a salad. While a huge doughnut probably sounds better in heated moments, indulging in leafy greens will help you feel calmer. In fact, a 2013 study from the University of Otago found that college students reported to feeling calmer on days they consumed more fruits and vegetables. Healthy eating helps prevent bad moods and stress from striking again too.
Turkey
Have you ever felt a little tired after a turkey dinner? That is because turkey contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which helps produce serotonin. Serotonin is the chemical in our bodies that help regulate hunger and boosts happiness and feelings of well-being. A in the Journal of Psychiatry Neuroscience, took men and women who were argumentative based on personality tests and gave them tryptophan supplements for 15 days. Those who took the supplement were seen to be as more agreeable after two weeks.
Oatmeal
If a stressful situation has you craving carbs, it is best not to ignore the signal. Instead of eating bad carbs though, try making a healthy bowl of oatmeal. Oatmeal is full of complex carbs that will help stabilize your blood sugar, which is usually up due to stress.
Yogurt
A cup of yogurt may do the trick to fix your stress too. Sometimes out of whack bacteria in our guts can contribute to stress. Yogurt with probiotics helps replenish the healthy gut bacteria and promotes your overall health. A 2013 UCLA study discovered that consuming probiotics in yogurt reduced brain activity which was responsible for handling emotions and stress. Just look for yogurt that is low in sugar but still has a good amount of protein.
Still feeling stressed after eating better? Try stopping by The Joint for some much needed stress relief. Regular wellness adjustments may help reduce stress that was caused by subluxations, or misalignments in the spine.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Kyle Brammer