22 superfoods for stress relief

So you're stressed. Check out foods that you absolutely must have!

Stress is pretty much a part of our everyday life. Rarely will you come across someone who'll tell you that s/he is NOT stressed out.

Work, family, finances -- the reasons for stress are many. But here's how you can reduce your stress levels.

Check out these superfoods that can reduce stress.

Do a handful of nuts help in stress relief?

Snack on a handful of nuts as they're packed with magnesium, which seems to help keep cortisol levels low which means reduced stress levels. Eat nuts in moderation as nuts are high in calories.

Courtesy: Gud2Eat.com

Almonds & walnuts help reduce stress

Almonds, pistachios & walnuts help in stress relief. Almonds are loaded with B and E vitamins, which help boost your immune system, and walnuts and pistachios help lower blood pressure.

Broccoli helps in stress reduction

Broccoli is a healthy food whether it's steamed, stir-fried or eaten raw with your favorite dip. Broccoli has folic acid, which helps relieve stress, panic, anxiety and depression.

Desserts help in reducing stress levels

An ice cream or any sugary foods decrease levels of anxiety-producing hormones, like Glucocorticoid. Note just a little sugar on the tongue is enough to produce a feel-good effect, so don't overdo it!

Whole grain bread helps reduce stress levels

A whole grain bread with jam or honey means your snack contains complex carbohydrate-rich foods that raise serotonin levels, boosting your mood and helping you relax.

Salmon meal is effective for stress relief

Savour some salmon as it contains omega-3 fatty acids help brain cells to function more efficiently as it helps reduce levels of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

Indulge in 'some' dark chocolate for stress relief

Dark chocolate is a potent endorphin-producing food that helps boost your mood and reduce stress levels. Eat dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70%+.

Orange juice helps reduce stress

Even a short bout of tension can influence your immune system, vitamin C in citrus fruits helps boost your immune system & it is also an anti-oxidant that fights the free radicals that are released when stressed.

Hot cocoa can boost your mood

You may try a warm glass of milk or green tea too for stress relief as warm drinks raise your body temperature which is linked with comfort and that in turn triggers a stress relief response in our brains.

Green tea actually helps fight stress

Green tea contains polyphenols that are powerful anti-oxidants that stimulate availability dopamine that is important for creating positive mood status.

Oats help if you are stressed

Oats are rich in soluble fibre that helps reduced LDL cholesterol levels and reduced risk of heart disease. Oats are rich in phytochemicals that help regulate the digestive system and blood sugar levels.

Eat complex carbs when you are stressed

Complex carbohydrates encourage the body to produce serotonin, a stress relieving chemical in the body. Broccoli, potatoes, squash, brown rice, whole wheat bread also contain complex carbs.

Food helps tackling stress

The foods that help reduce stress include fresh vegetables mainly green, yellow, orange and leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, soups, yogurt, fish, sprouted grams, skimmed milk.

Fibre in food affects brain activity

Fibre helps brain activity indirectly. Soluble fibre, such as fruit pectin, helps lower the glycemic index of foods, thereby having a stabilising effect on blood sugar.

Coffee affects a stressed person

Coffee contains neuro stimulators like caffeine that stimulates a tired person but also aggravates anxiety and worsens sleeplessness. Coffee perks you up and stimulates your mind for a short time.

1/2 cup cottage cheese helps reduce stress

Choose a protein rich breakfast and wake up your brain and stabilise your blood sugar -- which will help to prevent mood swings and energy dips (fatigue) throughout the day.

Drinking cola may aggravate stress. True or False

When you are stressed you may suffer from acidosis and accumulation of carbon dioxide and lactates which are detrimental to health + high content of carbon dioxide in some colas aggravates your stress levels.

Yogurt helps reduce stress

Yogurt is a calcium-rich snack that keeps irritability at bay. Calcium helps stabilise emotions when stressed and will help fight the monthly, stressful symptoms of PMS.

Milk is a well-known stress soother

Milk contains tryptophan which is essential for serotonin production that helps relax a person's mood and helps in pacifying an anxious or a stressed person.

Peanuts helps reduce stress

Peanuts contain magnesium, a mineral that helps regulate the stress hormone cortisol our bodies produce. Less stress hormone released, less stress felt.

Fish helps reduce stress

Fishes like mackerel and tuna that are rich in omega fatty acids help protect from heart diseases which are precipitated by stress. Fish contains choline which is a memory booster.

Soups help reduce stress

Soups are soothing stress relief food. Soups are very hydrating, nourishing, soothing, and easy to digest, especially if freshly made with natural, whole food ingredients.

Brown rice is good for stress

Complex carbs are great for maintaining high energy levels in stressful situations. Brown rice and whole wheat pasta are complex carbohydrates that give you a sustained amount of energy throughout the day.