There seems to be two types of people when it comes to stress: the person who is so stressed out that they can’t eat all day, and the person who stress-eats everything in sight. Now with midterms coming up, stress levels among students are on the rise.
Whether you fall into either of those two categories of people, food can be your best friend or worst enemy. What you put into your body can make stress levels go up or down, support your immune system, give you energy, or cause your energy levels to crash. A scientific study published in August 2015 suggested that the number and quality of nutrients you ingest can impact the body’s neural pathways that control emotion, energy levels and mood.
But what should you be eating to fight off stress?
- Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which can assist in lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Furthermore, just the simple act of taking the time to enjoy a food or a drink (like dark chocolate or a hot coco) can offer you much needed emotional comfort.
2. Healthy Fats
Salmon, walnuts and avocados are filled with heart healthy omega-3s, which are essential fatty acids proven to reduce anxiety and improve mood. If you don’t like either of those two foods, chia seeds, flaxseeds and nuts all contain b-vitamins, magnesium and healthy fatty acids that may even help lower blood pressure levels.
3. High Fiber Foods
This includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, which besides from having numerous vitamins, are rich in prebiotic fiber. A study published in July 2018 suggested that a high-fiber diet may be linked with reduced anxiety, depression and stress.
Overall, it’s important to fuel your body and mind with natural, wholesome foods when it comes to handling stress. Depriving your body of essential nutrients can lead to even higher levels of anxiety and even the chance of getting sick.