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Four Foods That Could Help You Relax

“Relax,” and let it go. Probably this is the most useless advice we have all received and are guilty of giving at some point in our life. But how exactly can a person “relax” and let it go while experiencing a stressful situation? Is there a button that you could use to pause the stress? Is there a place we could go to and calm down? Well, at some point, all of us have been guilty of stress eating. And research suggests that this works.

While eating when stressed helps reduce anxiety, it could also push you towards a weight gain. However, were you aware that you could make this work to your advantage by eating foods that help you reduce stress and help you keep a check on your weight?

Here are four foods that would help you reduce stress and anxiety significantly.

 Fatty Fish

Seafood like salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and trout are rich in Omega-3, which promotes mental health. All these foods that come under the category of fatty fish boost cognitive functioning. However, be careful to avoid Omega-6 foods as they are instrumental in increasing mood swings and anxiety.

Salmons are rich in Vitamin D, which increases the neurotransmitters that have a calming effect on the brain and reduce anxiety symptoms. So, make sure to include ample amounts of salmons and trouts to your diet to get relief from your anxiety attacks.

The research found that people who ate salmon thrice a week for five months were less likely to experience stress than those who ate pork, chicken, and beef often.

Dark Chocolate

Well, indulging in a big bar of chocolate is always fun. And now you have an added reason to do that. Dark chocolate is a great stress reliever. So, the next time you want to relax and do not have the time for some music therapy or meditation, bite into a few pieces of dark chocolate. Several studies go on to prove that dark chocolate is full of mood-enhancing ingredients, including magnesium.

It is also rich in tryptophan, a great enhancer of neurotransmitters that make you feel good and happy. Studies prove that regular consumption of dark chocolate also significantly reduces depression and helps you feel more energetic and happy.  A study conducted in 2014 shows that female students who consume around 40 grams of chocolate every day notice a significant reduction in their perceived stress levels. So, go and have some dark chocolate to your heart’s content the next time you feel low.

Yogurt

Well, the delicious serving of yogurt not just appeals to your tastebuds, but to your brain too. It has healthy bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria in yogurt has positive effects on the brain, which help you overcome anxiety and stress.

Recent research suggests that inflammation might be an underlying cause of stress, depression, and anxiety. Yogurt and other dairy products effectively treat inflammation, which is why it is a great remedy for relaxation. So, do not forget to carry a box of yogurt to the next meeting or presentation.

Green Tea

The good old green tea comes to your rescue not just when you need to shed that extra fat, but also when you need to let go of your stress. So, make sure you include this in your daily beverages list. It is rich in theanine, an amino acid, which helps in treating mood disorders. Theanine is a great calming agent and is useful in treating anxiety disorders besides helping in serotonin and dopamine production.

Several research findings suggest that regular consumption of green tea reduces stress significantly and helps with relaxation too. And thereby it also promotes heart health significantly. So, why not substitute other sugary beverages you regularly consume with a hot cup of soothing and relaxing green tea?

These are a few foods you could count on to reduce your stress significantly and help you relax. The best part is you don’t have to spend a lot of your time in preparation and are easily available. And remember, you will not have to make drastic lifestyle changes, to include these foods in your diet. This is important, as making major lifestyle changes ends up being a stress inducer too.

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