We’ve all been there.
It’s midnight, you’re at the PCL (where you have been for the past five hours) and you’re freaking out about your final the day after tomorrow. By now, the stress, anxiety and pressure to do well are taking a toll on your mood. All you want to do is find an excuse to stop studying but somehow you need to find the strength to keep going.
Good thing there’s food to take care of that. Here’s a list of nine foods for you to eat during finals to help manage your stress.
1) Bananas and 2) Avocados
Photo by Gabby Phi
Potassium keeps your blood pressure low, so snack on some potassium-rich foods during finals! Bananas and avocados are great go-to foods to fight stress and anxiety caused by studying.
3) Tea
Photo by Ana Cvetkovic
Unlike coffee, this caffeinated beverage will keep you from feeling more jittery and anxious.
4) Carrots (raw)
Crunchy, fresh veggies will keep you from feeling sluggish. Carrots or broccoli, maybe with some hummus, are a great option.
5) Whole-wheat pretzels
Complex carbohydrates are a better option than most snacks a vending machine has to offer, giving you both an energy boost and a mood boost. Not to mention, the fiber in the pretzels will fill you up so you’re not the kid with the growling stomach at the silent floor of the PCL.
6) Fish
Photo by Grégoire Durand at NU Spoon
Fatty fish, like salmon, sardines, and tuna will have you feeling calm, cool and collected. They are packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fats, so try to make time for a fish-fueled dinner.
7) Milk products
Milk, especially before bed, will cause you to feel more relaxed due to the awesome mix of B vitamins, protein, calcium, and vitamin D. All together, these awesome elements will relieve your tense muscles. For an on-the-go snack, opt for greek yogurt. By the way, have you heard that Coca-Cola is creating a new miracle milk?
8) Nuts
- Photo by Christin Urso
Nuts, which are full of vitamins and zinc, boost the immune system. If you have been staying up at night to study, you may be running yourself down and leaving yourself vulnerable to those vicious colds.
9) Dark Chocolate
Photo by Sean Koetting
Not only has dark chocolate been known for reducing stress hormones in our bodies, but it also contains some sugar which will release serotonin. This will result in mood improvements and a little bit of energy to get you through those notes.
For more details about the effect these foods have on our bodies, take a look at the article I found here.