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If you're feeling stressed, your first instinct may be to grab a glass of wine or tuck into some comfort foods. While they may feel good in the moment, they are not going to help fight stress or actually make you feel any better after you consume them. But you don't have to look too far or go to too much trouble to find foods and drinks that can actually help fight stress and make you feel better.
In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the best foods and drinks to fight stress. We'll also share some tips on what to avoid if you're feeling stressed out.
Foods that fight stress
Vitamin C-rich foods
Vitamin C is a well-known stress buster. It helps to regulate the stress hormone cortisol, which can wreak havoc on your body if left unchecked. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are excellent sources of vitamin C, as are capsicums, broccoli, and brussel sprouts.
Foods high in magnesium
Magnesium is another nutrient that plays an important role in managing stress levels. It works by helping to relax the nervous system and reduce anxiety. Dark leafy greens like spinach and Swiss chard are good sources of magnesium, as are pumpkin seeds, almonds, and black beans.
Probiotic-rich foods
Probiotics are live microorganisms that have a host of health benefits, including reducing stress levels. They work by promoting a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for keeping the body's systems in balance. There have been many recent studies that have found the importance of the microbiome for good mental health. There are many ways to incorporate probiotic-rich foods into your diet. Foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and miso are all excellent sources of probiotics.
Drinks that fight stress
Herbal teas
There are many herbal teas that can help fight stress. For example, chamomile tea is a popular choice for its calming effect. Other options include lavender tea, lemon balm tea, and passionflower tea.
Water
Water is important for overall health and well-being, and it can also help to fight stress. When you’re feeling stressed, your body releases hormones that can make you feel thirsty. Drinking water helps to replenish the fluids lost due to stress.
Juice
Juice can be a good option for fighting stress because it’s packed with vitamins and minerals. For example, orange juice is a good source of vitamin C, which can help to boost your immune system and you can now get great juice combos like orange, carrot, ginger, and turmeric that will give you a healthy boost. Other juices that can help fight stress include cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, and tomato juice.
Kombucha
The basic ingredients in kombucha are yeast, sugar, tea (black or green), and a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). The brew is then left to ferment for a few weeks. During that time, bacteria and acids grow the SCOBY further, consuming the sugar and fermenting the drink.
Kombucha bacteria includes lactic-acid bacteria, which can work as a probiotic, which as noted above are important in promoting a healthy gut microbiome. Kombucha also contains a healthy dose of B vitamins help to maintain a healthy nervous system. This can help with stress management as a strong nervous system is essential to being able to effectively fight the symptoms of stress.
Adapt Drinks Relax!
Adapt Drinks Relax can be a great dr ink to help manage stress. Adapt Drinks Relax provides you a moment to unwind. It is a non alcoholic, zero sugar, all natural, lightly sparkling adaptogenic drink designed to help you unwind and relax.
Adapt Drinks Relax is the perfect drink to have at the end of your work day or the end of a stressful day with the kids when you feel like a drink to help take the edge off but want to avoid alcohol.
The powerful amino acid L-Theanine is a key ingredient in Adapt Drinks Relax and it helps smooths the edges and relaxes you instantly. Relax also helps you over the long term through the superpowers of adaptogens. Consumed regularly the adaptogens have been shown to increase your ability to resist stress and decrease your sensitivity to stressors, allowing you to feel a greater sense of calmness.
Foods and drinks to avoid
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase anxiety and make it difficult to relax. If you're trying to reduce stress, it's best to avoid or limit caffeine intake.
Processed foods
Processed foods are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems. Eating processed foods can also increase your stress levels and make it difficult to focus on healthy eating habits.
Alcohol
The sense of relaxation you feel when you drink alcohol can be attributed to your blood alcohol content (BAC). As blood alcohol content (BAC) rises when you have your first drink it leads to temporary feelings of relaxation with simultaneous decreases in fatigue, restlessness and tension. This very temporarily gives a feeling of relaxation and taking the edge off the end of a stressful day.
Having more alcohol at this point actually doesn't increase feelings of relaxation. Once you reach a BAC of 0.05 and above you start to experience impaired judgement and movement, reduced inhibitions, unstable emotions and other negative effects of alcohol.
And if you stop at just the one or two drinks of alcohol, you unfortunately don't escape the negative side effects of alcohol. As your BAC starts to fall feelings of increased in fatigue, confusion, and anxiety can start to set in. Often leaving you feeling worse than when you had your first drink of alcohol. If you're struggling with stress, it's best to avoid alcohol.
Conclusion
If you're looking for ways to fight stress, look no further than your kitchen pantry and fridge. There are a number of foods and drinks that can help reduce stress levels. Vitamin C-rich foods, foods high in magnesium, and probiotic-rich foods are all great options. Herbal teas, water, and adaptogenic drinks are also great choices when it comes to drinks that fight stress. To avoid making your stress worse, steer clear of caffeine, processed foods, and alcohol.
