” Stress is not what happens to us. It is our response to what happens.
And our response is something we can choose”.
Stress in today’s world is just as common as cell phones. There was a time when stress was considered a serious ailment, but now more common than common cold. Natural reaction to stress from our body is to produce adrenaline or the “fight or flight” response, but most conditions don’t require such actions and the body’s entire energy goes into fighting this stimulus under which important processes gets overlooked such as digestion. Indigestion as studies have proved can also lead to high stress level making it a viscous circle. Now what to do? Simple diet plans or minute changes in your daily dietary course of action can go a long way.
If you go to a doctor or even consult somebody on diet plans they’ll overload you with phased plans made for robots, we on the other hand will follow the “KISS” approach, keep it simple silly. Let’s start the list with:-
1) Asparagus
High on Folate/Folacin which is known to keep you cool and composed, these can be steamed and used as salads or can be boiled until crisp whatever suits you.
2) Avocados
These act as a stress proof Armor for your body, rich in Glutathione a substance that specifically blocks intestinal absorption of certain fats that causes oxidative damage and has plenty of vitamin B, a thin slice with bread and you’re good to go.
3) Chamomile tea
For those who don’t enjoy fruits much Chamomile tea will do wonders, they say it’s the most recommended bed time soothers around the world. A study from the university of Pennsylvania tested chamomile supplements on 57 subjects with general anxiety disorder for 8 weeks, and found out significant drop in their anxiety symptoms. Obviously it’s not recommended as supplements but as a tea and not only does it reduces anxiety it also is a sleep promoter.
4) Milk
A glass of milk can help a lot as it contains Tryptophan, which as it is metabolize is converted to mood-boosting serotonin. Plus, its calcium, magnesium and potassium content may help keep blood pressure down.
5) Warm Drinks
Warm drinks raise your body temperature-a feeling we associate with comfort, so it triggers a similar response in our brains. A study by University College London shows that drinking black tea four times a day for six weeks lowered the stress hormone cortisol after a stressful event.
6) Chocolates
We’ve been saving the best for the last “Chocolates”. These brown coloured delights besides having extraordinary antioxidants, has an undeniable link with moods. A study from the University of California, San Diego, school of medicine reports that both men and women eat more chocolate when they feel stressed or under the nerve. Dark chocolates in particular are known for lowering blood pressure and reduces the risk for heart disease, obviously not so good for the mouth but anything under the right amount can do wonders.