Many of our readers are Expat working and living away from home, family and friends and with so many underlying lifestyle factors, stress levels can hit the roof, and your anxiety can spiral out of control.
It’s important to focus on the things which are in our control: like maintaining routine exercise, sticking to strict hygiene guidelines when socialising, and keeping to a healthy diet, to keep things in perspective. If you’ve been feeling a bit on edge lately, making changes in your diet can help provide a bit of relief. Try incorporating foods like dark chocolate, avocado, and even spices like Turmeric Supplement or Turmeric Curcumin, into your daily meals, to keep your anxiety at bay, and cook the stress away. Image Credit: wallpaperflare.com
Chamomile Tea
The benefits of a cup of chamomile tea have been around for hundreds of years, so much so, that they’ve almost become folklore. However, scientific research has now confirmed additional perks of chamomile, apart from a good night’s sleep. Drinking chamomile can help relieve stomach issues, has anti-inflammatory effects, and significantly reduces moderate to severe Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms in the long run. Image Credit: Chamomile Tea Facebook Page
Avocado
Turns out avocado’s good for more than just stopping millennials from buying houses! This high-fat superfood is chock-a-block full of B vitamins, which have positive effects on your nervous system. Vitamin B6 helps your body create neurotransmitters, as well as the happy chemical – serotonin. It also has Vitamin E, a nutrient important for vision, cognition, and gorgeous, glowing skin. Image Credit: Avocado at Sudan Facebook Page
Dark Chocolate
Munch on a few squares of dark chocolate, if you feel your stress levels rising. The slightly bitter treat is a source of magnesium. This is important because making sure your diet has enough magnesium can reduce symptoms of depression. Chocolate also has a high tryptophan content, your body turns this into neurotransmitters like serotonin, in the brain. Make sure you choose a bar of dark chocolate with 70 percent or more, to reap the most benefits. Image Credit: healthline.com
Pumpkin Seeds
Apart from being extremely addictive, pumpkin seeds are sources of potassium and zinc, both of which provide amazing benefits for your body. Potassium regulates electrolytes and blood pressure. Eating foods rich in potassium can also help minimise symptoms of stress and anxiety. Zinc is extremely influential in brain and nerve development. A zinc deficiency can negatively affect your mood, so snacking on pumpkin seeds can keep mood swings away. Image Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Salmon
Salmon is high in omega-3 which provides two fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA help regulate neurotransmitters, and promote healthy brain function. Its also rich in tryptophan, a serotonin releasing neurotransmitter, which gives your mood a boost. If that wasn’t enough, salmon is one of the few foods with Vitamin D. Studies have highlighted how Vitamin D positively helps with depression. Image Credit: medicalnewstoday.com; inspiredtaste.net
Turmeric
A staple in south Indian cooking, turmeric has health benefits that far outweigh its use as a taste-enhancer. The active ingredient of turmeric is curcumin and can help keep anxiety attacks to a minimum, thanks to its knack for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress—an increase of which can lead to mood disorders. Grow turmeric at home by Increasing curcumin in your diet also increases DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, which can reduce anxiety. Image Credit: healthline.com
Holy Basil
Also known as tulsi, holy basil has long been a staple of Indian Ayurvedic medicine, with its reputed cures ranging from eye disease to bronchitis. Different parts of the plant can help with different ailments, but the entire plant acts as an adaptogen. This is a natural substance, which has similar properties to antidepressant drugs and can help you maintain mental balance, and cope with stress. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend having it in the form of tea, but if the bitter taste puts you off, supplements in pill form are easily available. Image Credit: pinterest.com
