From a survey conducted, it was found that 74% of Indians face some level of stress and 88% of them face anxiety. In the recent era, where the pressure to perform, achieve, and succeed is higher than ever before, individuals have found themselves experiencing and going through high-stress levels. This problem affects not only working adults and corporates but also teens and children who are under constant pressure to achieve perfect scores and be on top of their academics. Stress and anxiety have become global problems individuals of all age groups suffer from. Making small changes in lifestyle like meditating and exercising can help one manage and deal with stress and anxiety. Similarly, some foods can help reduce levels of stress and anxiety naturally.
Some of these foods are:
Dark chocolate Chocolate usually tends to impact mood positively and is comfort food for most people. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that act as antioxidants. These flavonoids boost blood flow to the brain and heart, which reduces anxiety. They are also a good source of magnesium, which is supposed to help people feel calmer. A study found that people who ate dark chocolate reported lower levels of depressive symptoms than people who did not eat them.
Salmon Salmon contains nutrients like vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids that promote brain health. Omega-3 rich foods contain fatty acids that help in improving healthy brain functions and reducing inflammation. They also help in improving stress and controlling anxiety. These fatty acids help regulate dopamine and serotonin, linked to improving mood. Salmon also consists of vitamin D that is said to reduce anxiety. If you are a vegetarian, you can eat flaxseeds, walnuts, or chia seeds instead.
Green tea After a long day at work, drinking a cup of hot tea usually helps individuals relax. Green tea, which is rich in antioxidants, helps soothe the nerves and calms one down. It also consists of the amino acid theanine, which has nerve-relaxing components and helps ease anxiety issues. It also has a calming and anti-anxiety effect. A study found that people who drank beverages with theanine reported decreased cortisol levels, a hormone linked with stress. It was also observed that the components found in green tea work harmoniously in alleviating anxiety and promoting calming effects.
Yogurt Yogurt consists of healthy bacteria that positively impact an individual’s overall well-being. These bacteria help reduce chronic inflammation that can be responsible for anxiety and stress. Yogurt has anti-inflammatory effects and is great for relieving anxiety. These healthy bacteria also promote the production of serotonin which boosts an individual’s mood.
Chamomile Chamomile is said to have relaxing and calming properties. It also consists of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. It also regulates dopamine and serotonin that impact the moods of an individual. The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile help reduce inflammation linked to anxiety. A study reported that individuals who consumed chamomile extract saw reduced anxiety symptoms.
