One of the most important factors in how you handle stress each day is your levels of cortisol fighting vitamins and nutrients. While there are certain supplements to help your levels of hormones such as oxytocin and dopamine, the easiest way to keep your stress levels in check is by maintaining a proper diet.
By maintaining a proper diet, you’ll simultaneously get the right vitamins that your body needs to keep stress levels down and also get into better shape. A lack of fitness can be its own source of stress, so this will help in that regard as well.
Choosing the right foods that aren’t just comfort foods can really help you relieve stress. The first vitamin that helps with stress is vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to help lower levels of cortisol, the stress inducing hormone.
There are a number of other benefits that stem from vitamin C, including a better immune system and general body maintenance. To get the levels of vitamin C you need, there are a few options.
The one that comes to everyone’s mind first is usually some kind of citrus fruit, such as oranges. However, foods such as red peppers are even more rich in vitamin C, so try to incorporate some of both in your meals.
Another key vitamin is any of the B vitamins. These can be found in a wide range of foods, from fish to beans or vegetables. B vitamins perform a number of important tasks, especially in our brains, helping us stay calm and collected.
Depending on what you prefer, there are a lot of foods that you can get B vitamins from. Chicken and dairy based products are extremely common and healthy for the most part, so these – along with vegetables – would make for great healthy, stress relieving meals.
Finally, there are some foods that simply have that comforting feeling while you’re eating them. Carbs are a great example. While some may recommend staying away from carbs, especially if you’re trying to be healthy, carbs are necessary in the right amounts.
Complex carbs are preferable, which includes things like oatmeal and pasta. In the right portions, these are great comfort foods that won’t throw off your entire health plan. While it’s not a food, tea has also been found to be great at relieving stress, especially the kinds that don’t use caffeine.
Tea is in this same category of comfort foods, and with all different kinds of flavors available, you’ll be able to find something that suits your taste. Try a calming chamomile tea as you wind down each day and you’re sure to see an improvement in how you sleep.
