Finals are right around the corner, and the struggle of stress eating during this time is definitely real. You may have seen a similar article about stress-fighting foods, but different semesters call for different foods.
Instead of putting unhealthy junk food in your stress-ridden body, try the following healthy and useful foods to relieve your stress and wash your worries away.
1. Avocados
Photo by Julia Maguire
High in potassium and super trendy, these guys are one of the best ways to reduce high blood pressure. Avocados are also full of vitamin B, which is good because vitamin B deficiency is researched to cause feelings of anxiety.
If you’re feeling a little crazy, try this recipe for crunchy beer-battered avocados, and you’ll forget all your worries, guaranteed.
2. Milk
Photo by Eury Fabian
It’s good for more than just mustaches. One glass gives you the protein you need to lower your blood pressure and the potassium to relieve muscle tension.
3. Oranges
Photo by Marlee Goldman
Have you heard of cortisol? Yeah, he’s the little jerk of a hormone running around your system that wants you to be just as uptight as he is.
Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, which is known to force feed cortisol a chill pill while also lowering your blood pressure. An orange a day keeps the panic attack away.
4. Oatmeal
Photo by Gabby Phi
We’ve all seen those “part of a balanced breakfast” commercials. Well if you haven’t figured it out by now, those things are actually telling the truth.
Eating oatmeal helps get the feel-good chemical serotonin flowing in your brain. Serotonin has a soothing effect that helps relieve stress. It’s the kind of drug trip your mom would actually want you to take.
5. Chocolate
Photo by Rachel Livengood
This is a public service announcement from the gods. Chocolate, in moderation, can actually make you feel better. Dark chocolate is known to lower blood pressure, lower levels of stress hormones, and release serotonin.
You can even de-stress and get your chocolate intake at lunch by incorporating it into your grilled cheese sandwiches. Again, moderation is key; have it your way, but don’t get crazy.
6. Spinach
Photo by Irina Chalaguina
Popeye must have been as calm as a cucumber with the amount of spinach he was eating. Spinach is filled with magnesium, which also helps to put our old friend cortisol in his place to promote a feeling of wellbeing.
It may not be a stereotypical comfort food, but it will provide you some comfort knowing that you are helping yourself become stress-free in a healthy way.
7. Tea
Photo by Jennifer Cao
A study showed tea drinkers feel calmer and have lower levels of the hormone cortisol after stressful situations. Try some chamomile tea and get a bonus of a calm and peaceful sleep.
Go on and start your anti-stress eating. And if you’re still craving more information, you can check out this article.
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