Long hours at work, challenging goals, and constant competition— it comes as little surprise that many of us are stressed out most of the time. According to the 2013 Work Stress Survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Everest College, eight out of 10 Americans are stressed out because of their jobs. Studies also show that how you react to stress can determine your health condition 10 years down the line. Staying de-stressed is the key to a healthier tomorrow, but the question is, where do we find that key? In your kitchen, maybe! Try eating the following food items to reduce your stress levels:
Dark Chocolate
If you love to eat dark chocolates, we have good news for you. Since dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, it can reduce stress hormones in your body and give your mind some space to breathe. Dark chocolate can boost your mood by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Being a less processed chocolate, it contains 65 percent cacao, which is safe to eat. However,do not consume more than one to two ounces daily. Dark chocolate stimulates the neural activity of the brain and makes you feel happy.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 is a form of fatty acid that can help you de-stress and have a positive impact on your mood. Eating food items like tuna, salmon, and avocado can help you fight depression. Two servings of fatty fish per week can lower stress and anxiety levels. Apart from fish, you can even use flax seed oil and walnuts, because these contain omega-3 as well.
Citrus Fruits
Another way to get rid of stress is by eating citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit. Vitamin C is also found in strawberries potatoes, tomatoes, and broccoli. Adult men should try to eat about 90 mg of this vitamin per day, while adult women should regularly have about 75 mg of vitamin C.
Although the right kind of food can help you de-stress, you must also know where to draw the line. Get in touch with one of our experts to learn more about your options.