Avocados
High in stress-relieving B-vitamins and potassium, avocados make the perfect fruit for lowering blood pressure and stress levels. Their creamy texture and bland taste make it a perfect ingredient in smoothies, ice cream and, of course, guacamole.
Tea
Herbal teas like mint, chamomile, ginseng or lemon calm your nerves and are beneficial for your health. Sip on a warm cup of tea during those late-night study sessions, which will also help your brain wind down before crawling into bed.
Fatty Fish
Salmon, tuna and other sorts of fatty fish all contain stress-fighting nutrients like heart-healthy omega-3 fats, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.
Photo by Alice Zhou
Milk
You’ve probably heard that drinking milk before bed helps you wind down. Milk contains vitamin B, protein, calcium and vitamin D, which help your muscles relax and reduce stress levels.
Yogurt
Like milk, yogurt contains many vitamins and nutrients that help relieve stress. Replace that pint of ice cream with yogurt parfait, which is better for your health and still just as satisfying as a study break snack.
Photo by Lauren Kaplan
Nuts
The vitamins and zinc in almonds, pistachios and walnuts boost your immune system, which is beaten down by higher stress levels during finals week. Munch on some nuts while studying to avoid taking your finals with a stuffy nose or sore throat.
Dark Chocolate
Treat yourself to a quick study break and munch on some dark chocolate. Studying for finals is tough, so you deserve it! The flavanoids and antioxidants in dark chocolate have been shown to lower stress hormone levels and improve your mood. In addition, cacao contains just a bit of caffeine to boost your energy levels and help you power through the rest of your studying.
Photo by Lauren Kaplan