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Beat Stress With Food And Nutrition

Submitted by Stella Morgan on December 8, 2009

Everyone has heard about the negative consequences of stress in one’s life. It is incredible to see how something intangible and essentially mental causes our bodies to react. So many diseases and disorders are not only caused but also exacerbated thanks to stress. The incidence of such stress related issues appears to be going in one direction only – up. It’s a combination of lifestyle, one’s work and poor dietary habits that work against us.

Bear in mind that what they say about stress is true – it has a lot to do with psychological issues alone. However, you can combat this with the help of food and proper nutrition.

It’s interesting to note how specific comfort foods, such as that warm oatmeal, can keep stress at bay.

With this food, our brain chemical, serotonin, actually rises from existing levels. Complex carbs, such as healthy cereals, are one of the foods you should opt for. Even though they aren’t great nutritionally, simple carbs often act as temporary stress busters.

Non-vegetarians can always choose healthier varieties of fatty fish. Salmon is one of the good varieties for a healthy meal. Find ways to include good amounts of raw vegetables in your life, even as snack options.

Look for foods that take care of those high cortisol as well as adrenaline.

These two are termed as stress hormones and they can eventually harm our bodies. Such foods are also needed to give you that better immune system and to ensure lower blood pressure. Pistachios and almonds are two immensely helpful nuts that can be munched on to help with stress. Keep in mind that such stress has the possibility of turning your life inside out with increased susceptibility to various diseases. You will regularly find stress listed under causes of various disorders, including digestive disorders and, more chillingly, heart disease.

While one is busy making great nutritional stress busting choices with regards to food, one must not forget plenty of water. You will need all that drinking water to keep your body in top shape. As far as liquids go, milk is beneficial for keeping stress at lower levels. Stress management is more of a lifestyle than anything else. All facets of one’s life need to be geared to combat such constant worry. Remember that alongside such dietary modification to beat stress, one also has a choice of complementary therapies to pick from. Besides using herbal oils and the like, it’s best to find some means or the other of dealing with stress.