As we begin to move into the holiday season, it seems this is the time of year stress starts to build up in many people. Maybe it is the thought of spending time with extended family, attending work-related parties or reliving memories of past holidays so many people what to learn how to relieve stress naturally. No matter the reason, many people being experiencing increased stress levels and around Halloween and those stress levels seems to keep building until the New Year. But did you know there are natural ways to reduce stress while enjoying every day of the year including the days of the upcoming hectic holiday season? So let’s go ahead and jump right into some simple foods choices you can take to combat stress. Simple Foods to Avoid and Why
Avoid caffeine and alcohol: I don’t know about you, but I enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and a few drinks with friends during the weekend. However, coffee is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant. This means they can both zap your energy and rob you of the fuel you need to successfully cope with tension. Sugary foods: During the holidays I find myself snacking a little more on holiday cookies, pumpkin pie and other tasty treats of the season. Eating more sugary foods can cause your blood sugar levels to spike then dip rapidly, which can in turn make your energy levels spike and dip at the same rate.
Simple Foods to Enjoy and Why
Asparagus: This odd looking vegetable is naturally high in folic acid and vitamin B can help level out your moods. Both are key players in producing serotonin, a chemical that gets you into a good mood.
Eat more meat: Red meat may not be the best food to eat with every meal, but it can help to reduce your stress. The reason is beef contain high levels of iron, zinc and B vitamins. All three of these can help get you into a good mood.
If you’re a vegan, try these healthy alternatives to beef:
Black beans: Beans are high in magnesium. This helps to relax the nervous system and balances stress hormones.
Tofo: Tofu is high in tryptophan and is considered a natural sedative and can help to reduce blood pressure naturally
Drink milk: Milk with full of calcium, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins B2 and B12, it helps strengthen bones and promotes healthy cell regeneration. Enjoy with whole grain cereal. Also, toss in some blackberries or blueberries. This large berry is an excellent source of iron, not as much as beef and it will add excellent taste to your cereal. If you can’t enjoy fresh berries, consider adding our blueberry capsules to your daily routine.
Cottage Cheese: This is another great choice. The reason is it helps to make you feel full and fight cancer-causing free radicals in your body.
Almonds: When you feel stressed, grab a handful of almonds. This tasty nut is high in magnesium, zinc, as well as vitamins B2, C, and E and unsaturated fats. All of these help to combat free radicals.
Check out this quick video on more information on how to relieve stress naturally:
