5 Stress-Relieving Superfoods That Can Help You Feel More Relaxed

We all feel a little extra stressed than usual from time to time. With work, relationships, kids, and friends, you might start wondering if there’s really enough of you to go around!

Chronic stress can cause a number of different health problems, from high blood pressure and migraines to depression and weight gain.

When you’re feeling especially stressed, your body releases an annoying hormone called cortisol, which makes sure to keep all your fat stored right in your belly.

There are very few people in the world who crave celery sticks when they’re under a lot of stress, but that margarita and burrito after work isn’t going to do you any favors either.

The next time you start feeling the tension build up, reach for one of these powerful stress-relieving superfoods:

1. Turkey Breast: Tryptophan, the amino acid inside turkey, is probably the reason you feel like taking a nap after Thanksgiving dinner. But on its own, small amounts of tryptophan have been shown to help produce serotonin, the chemical that regulates feelings of hunger and happiness. If you’re not a huge fan of turkey breast, you can still take advantage of tryptophan’s calming effect by eating, lentils, fish, tofu, oats, nuts and seeds, beans, and even eggs.
2. Yogurt: It may sounds crazy, but some research shows that your gut can actually send signals to your brain in the same way that your brain communicates with your stomach. Keeping this in mind, the bacteria in your stomach might be contributing to your stress levels, which is why you may feel inflamed gastrointestinal symptoms when you’re under a lot of pressure. Considering that yogurt is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, you really can’t go wrong by adding it to your diet.
3. Oatmeal: It’s hard to compete with a sugary doughnut when you’re craving a heavy dose of carbs first thing in the morning. So, don’t deny the craving! If you stop yourself from eating something carb-heavy now, you’ll just up giving in later. Instead, eat a complex carb, like oatmeal to curb the craving and stay on track. In fact, research at MIT shows that carbohydrates actually help the brain make serotonin. So, they’re not all bad—as long as you eat the right ones!
4. Leafy Greens: In general, most veggies will help you feel more energetic throughout the day—especially leafy greens. Vegetables, like spinach, contain high amounts of folate, which produces dopamine—a pleasure-inducing chemical in the brain that helps keep you calm.
5. Pistachios: This diet-friendly snack can help silence the constant voice inside your head that’s been making you feeling extra stressed lately. When negative thoughts are plaguing your mind, doing something with your hands—like cracking pistachio shells—will help you relax. Aside from giving you a rhythm, pistachios can also help lower your blood pressure.

Are there any superfoods you want to add? If so, tell us in the comments!

Photo Copyright © 2007 Rosana Prada/Flickr