11 Anxiety Fighting Foods
Stress and anxiety is a factor of everyday life. Although they may start as mere annoyances, it can quickly escalate into something more serious which can affect every aspect of your life, including your health. Today, we’re going to provide you with some great tips for how you can fight stress and anxiety in your life, and some great anxiety fighting foods so you can leave happier and healthier.
Unfortunately, anxiety can affect many areas of your life, including your diet and eating patterns. Meal times that aren’t regular and a nutritionally lacking diet can lower your glycemic index, causing you to experience cravings for junk food, and sweet treats. Due to this, food can be an extremely important element of fighting the anxiety plighting your life. Today, we’ll show you some fantastic foods that can help you feel better and combat your stress and anxiety.
Fish
Fish contains lots of Omega 3, which works wonders for reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, regulating your blood sugar levels and keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level. Eating fish at least once a week gives your body an invaluable dose of magnesium, stimulating relaxation and helping you combat stress and anxiety.
Milk and other dairy
The good mood causing element of dairy products, tryptophan, is great for promoting relaxation within your body. This amino acid is also contained in other types of foods, two main types are bananas and peanuts.
Almonds
The vitamins and proteins present in almonds, as well as their high magnesium content, make them a great snack for when you’re feeling stressed. Have about a handful when you’re feeling anxious, or stressed out, and you’ll feel better in no time!
Bananas
Potassium is fantastic for strengthening the nervous system, and bananas are the best source of food for it. Your nervous system controls anxiety, stress and other mental disorders, so bolstering it with plenty of potassium is a good idea!
Seaweed
Containing large amounts of both magnesium and tryptophan, seaweed is a fabulous food to help remedy anxiety and leave you feeling peaceful and relaxed.
Chocolate
Who doesn’t love chocolate? To get the most out of the anxiety beating properties of everyone’s favourite snack, look for dark chocolate that’s sugar free. It’ll help reduce the cortisol in your body, which is the hormone that causes stress.
Oat
Oats boosts the hormones which fight depression within your body, and having high levels of magnesium and fibre, it’s great for reducing your anxiety.
A little tip: in a quarter of a litre of water, boil up three tablespoons of oats. Eat a cup of this after each meal, when you wake in the morning and before bed each night.
Orange leaves
Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Well, try making an infusion with orange leaves before bed each night. This will promote good sleeping habits, and help relieve anxiety and stress. This is because orange leaves work in a similar way to sedatives and sleeping tablets, just natural!
Nuts
Nuts are full of vitamin B, which helps your body form serotonin. Serotonin is a neutrotransmitter, which helps prevent anger, regulate your body temperature and stabilises your appetite. Because of all this, nuts are fantastic for helping your body fight anxiety.
Peaches
Peaches are full of lots of fibre, and great minerals and vitamins that help your body combat stress and anxiety. Peaches are fantastic for fulfilling your sweet cravings, so each time you feel a bit anxious, eat a peach or two to help yourself feel better!
Some tips and tricks for day to day
- Try and avoid drinking too much caffeine, like coffee! Instead, drink plenty of fruit infusions and aromatic water for their health benefits.
- Drink as much water as you can! You’ll see the benefits almost immediately, and it aids the essential functions of your organs.
- Eat regularly. Make sure you eat all your meals, and try to do so at the same time each day.
- Reap the physical and mental benefits of physical exercise
- Try to avoid bad habits such as alcohol and smoking cigarettes. These will only be detrimental to your body.