Warm, Soothing Foods
For conquering stress, a food’s nutrient profile may be just as important as how it makes you feel. Take a calming, warm cup of tea, for instance, says Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, an online nutrition coach and the owner of Nutrition Works in Louisville, Kentucky, who specializes in food sensitivities, food allergies, and nutrigenomics. Sipping a warm drink has a soothing effect regardless of the flavor — but certain herbs have been shown to have a relaxing effect on their own, Meyerowitz says. For example, one study suggests chamomile may reduce anxiety by helping rewire the body’s stress response and increasing the production of the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine.
Dark Chocolate
Usually, dessert isn’t a good choice when you’re stressed, but dark chocolate may be an exception. This treat can reduce stress in two ways — via its chemical impact and its emotional impact. Chocolate feels like such an indulgence that it can be a real treat to simply savor a piece of it, and that feeling alone can reduce stress, says Meyerowitz. Dark chocolate, which is also rich in antioxidants, lowers stress hormones in the body, according to one study in which participants ate about 1.5 ounces (oz) of the treat per day for two weeks. Just be sure to avoid excess calories in your diet by not overindulging, Meyerowitz advises. The calories in dark chocolate can add up quickly, so stick to a 1 oz serving or less per day and choose chocolate that’s at least 60 percent cacao.
Whole-Grain Carbohydrates
Low-carb keto diet followers, take note: The right carbs can act as stress busters! According to MIT, carbohydrates can increase levels of serotonin, a chemical in the body that helps boost mood and reduce stress. More serotonin means more concentration and a more productive workday. But picking the right carbs is critical. Refined carbs — such as chips, cookies, and crackers — are tied to inflammation, stress, and depression, according to one study. These carbs may also raise your blood pressure, straining heart health, suggests a review, and lead you to overeat later in the day, other research suggests. Complex carbs, on the other hand, can do wonders for your stress levels because they digest more slowly and keep blood sugar levels more even, according to Harvard Medical School. Sources of complex carbs include sweet potatoes and whole grains (such as whole-grain bread, quinoa, brown rice, and oats).
Bananas
For a quick pick-me-up, skip Starbucks and reach for a banana instead. The yellow, potassium-rich fruit contains the mood-boosting chemical dopamine, along with magnesium, levels of which plummet during stressful times. A preliminary study found that magnesium deficiency increased depression and anxiety symptoms in mice. Similarly, a review in the December 2020 Nutrients noted a direct link between magnesium deficiency and increased stress levels. Bananas are furthermore a rich source of certain B vitamins, such as vitamin B6, which helps the nervous system run correctly, and can decrease stress and fatigue, according to a study that looked at the use of high-dose B-complex vitamins. An added perk: The potassium bananas offer can help lower high blood pressure, according to Harvard Medical School.
Fatty Fish
Stress can tax the heart, but noshing on fatty fish can help strengthen your ticker and boost your mood, to boot. Heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in whole fish like tuna, halibut, salmon, and sardines may help ease depression, one review found. Lowering overall stress and anxiety is another possible benefit, according to a study.
Water
Looking for a quick and simple way to ease stress? Fill your cup with water and sip away! The importance of hydration during stressful times is well documented. Even mild dehydration can increase cortisol levels, which contributes to increased stress, as one study describes. While drinking enough water will not make your stressors vanish, taking this step will help set your body up to handle stress when it does happen. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the average woman needs about 2.7 liters of water per day, while the average man needs about 3.7. (About 80 percent of that hydration should come from beverages, whereas the remaining 20 percent can come from food.) To calculate your personal fluid needs, give a hydration calculator a try!
Milk (or a Nondairy Alternative)
Your mom might have been onto something when she made you drink all your milk at the dinner table. Turns out, calcium might not only strengthen your skeleton — it could also brighten your mood. One study found that Korean women who consumed the least calcium reported feeling the most depressed. Milk and other dairy as well as nondairy products with calcium and added vitamin D can help muscles relax and stabilize mood; another study suggests these nutrients may even ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, which are stressful on their own.
Nuts
Nuts are a boon to your health in more ways than one. First, they’re satiating, meaning they can help ward off unhealthy cravings. Second, they could help lower blood pressure, according to a study that focused on pistachios. And third, Meyerowitz says, their B vitamins have been shown to help lower stress levels. Remember to reach for only a small handful, as nuts are calorie dense and can lead to weight gain if you eat too many.
Oranges and Other Vitamin C–Rich Fruits
Vitamin C will not only ward off scurvy — the nutrient can also keep stress at bay. One small randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that when people took 3,000 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C in a slow-release formula each day, their cortisol levels, and overall stress, decreased. Citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruit, and strawberries, are a good start, but you would need a supplement to reach such high levels of these nutrients. Speak with your doctor before adding vitamin C supplements to your diet.
Avocados
Guac out to your heart’s content. Avocados are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber, making for a perfect stress-fighting snack. As mentioned, vitamins C and B6 can help reduce stress, and the fruit’s potassium may help lower blood pressure. Not to mention, the healthy fat and fiber in avocados can help contribute to satiety, discouraging you from unhealthy snacking when you’re stressed, according to a study published in the October 2018 FASEB Journal.
Dark, Leafy Greens
You might think desk salads are boring, but for lowering stress, they may be one of the best choices you can make at lunchtime. Leafy-green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, as well as other raw fruits and veggies, are stress-busting powerhouses, as a study published in a 2018 issue of Frontiers in Psychology described. As a rich source of magnesium, leafy greens can help regulate cortisol and blood pressure levels. Plus, green leafy veggies contain folate, according to data from the USDA, which plays a key role in the production of the feel-good chemical dopamine, notes past research.
