Dairy foods
Foods such as yoghurt contain probiotics that can boost our gut health (which influences mood and mental wellbeing). Make sure you choose varieties which have no added sugar.
Leafy green vegetables
Leafy greens contain folate, which has been linked to relieving the feelings of stress. Try spinach, kale, and broccoli.
Blueberries
A strong immune system is one of the best ways to fight stress, and blueberries are packed with antioxidants that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals that occur naturally in our bodies.
Frozen varieties of fruit and vegetables also count and are great in a stress-busting smoothie!
Oily fish
Studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and other oily fish can reduce anxiety. For the best results, have two serves of 200 grams per week.
Dark chocolate
We’re not talking about reaching for a Mars bar or a packet of Tim Tams – the amount of cocoa it contains is the key, so a bit of dark chocolate can be good for you – but not the whole bar! The higher the cocoa levels in the chocolate, the better.
Oats
Serotonin is a calm-inducing hormone and can be found in oats that require cooking on the stove top. They are better than the instant version as they are higher in fibre and take longer to digest, meaning their calming effect may last longer.
Almonds
Rich in vitamins B2 and E, almonds can help boost the immune system and you only need a quarter of a cup a day.
Avocado
Feelings of anxiety have been linked low levels of vitamin B – the good news is, avocadoes are packed with it. They are also rich in monosaturated fat and potassium, which can help lower blood pressure.
Tea
Who hasn’t sat down with a nice cuppa and breathed a great sigh of relief at the end of a hard day? A classic cup of tea is known to soothe frazzled nerves as it contains l-theanine, known for promoting stress relief – also putting your feet up while drinking it goes a long way to helping you to relax. Both black and green teas are helpful.
And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Most people need around 2 litres per day, and more when you’re exercising.
Here are 10 Easy ways to increase your water intake
These foods may help with mild symptoms, so you should also see your doctor if you are worried about your stress or anxiety levels.
Source: www.health.qld.gov.au
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