Stress and anxiety are feelings that one battles on a regular basis – whether at home or in the workplace. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety is an emotion characterised by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.
Though medication is often required as treatment, there are many simple ways you can follow to control the feeling and reduce the pressure you feel. For example by exercising, deep breathing or lighting a scented candle. Apart from that, there are some foods you can eat to lower the anxiety mostly due to their brain-boosting properties.
On World Mental Health Day, here are a list of food items that might help you reduce stress and anxiety.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin, a compound known for its role in promoting brain health and preventing anxiety disorders. Curcumin also has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to prevent damage to brain cells.
Yogurt
If you suffer from social anxiety, yogurt is a great food to include in your diet. The probiotics (healthy bacteria) found in yogurt can improve your mental health.
Note that not all yogurt contains probiotics. For the benefits of probiotics, choose a yogurt that has “live active cultures” mentioned in the ingredients.
Almonds
Research has shown that magnesium may be an effective treatment for anxiety-related symptoms. Just 1 ounce of almonds (almost 12 nuts) contains 75mg of magnesium which is brilliant for reducing anxiety and stress. You can also find magnesium in foods such as seeds, and avocado.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that may benefit brain function.
They do this by improving blood flow to the brain and promoting its ability to cope with stressful situations. These effects may allow you to adjust better to the stressful situations that can lead to anxiety and other mood disorders.
Some researchers also suggest that dark chocolate’s role in brain health may simply be due to its taste, which can be comforting for those with mood disorders.
However, dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation, as it is high in calories and easy to overeat. 1–1.5 ounces is a reasonable serving size.
Eggs
Eggs have serotonin in them. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, sleep, memory, and behavior. Serotonin is also thought to improve brain function and relieve anxiety.
