As the holidays approach, many of us will be dealing with stress.
You know, stress from cooking, buying gifts, traveling, entertaining family
and friends, etc. and if this describes you, then you should know that
there are certain foods that can help you go from rattled to calm and peaceful.


The Foods:
a) Broccoli-
Another benefit from having broccoli a few times a week: Calmer nerve cells.
Broccoli is packed with carotenoids, nutrients that help cut edginess and anxiety
by as much as 70%. Carotenoids keep a group nerve cells (the HPA axis) calm,
reducing their production of troublesome stress hormones like adrenaline.

b) Fish-
You can go back and reread some of our older posts on how fish can help you
fight against the winter blues. Eating just 2 servings of fatty fish or seafood
(6 oz. servings), weekly could cut your risk of feeling stressed, irritable or anxious
by 65%. Credit goes to the omega-3 fatty acids in fish as it heightens insulin
sensitivity and blood-glucose control. This prevents nerve-jangling blood
sugar dips between meals.
Make sure to get the right type of fish, like…salmon, trout, tuna, sardines,
mackerel, shrimp and lobster.

c) Whole Grains-
Although given a bad rap, some “good carbs” like popcorn, oatmeal or
multigrain bread can help you lower the stress hormones aka cortisol.
Grains contain essential minerals and B-complex vitamins, which soothe
adrenal glands to slow their output of the stress hormone cortisol.
Important tip:
As with most of the foods listed here, it’s best to have the food without
any “bad” fats or processed foods. An example: Toast or popcorn with
sugary jams, caramel sauces or loads of margarine.

d) Nuts-
After a meal, some people are still looking for something to snack on,
and if you’re a fan of nuts, grapes, or dark chocolate, there’s some
good news for you.

First nuts- Just a Tbs. or two of the nuts (each week) can reduce your risk of feeling
stress or anxious by 65%. Nuts boast rich stores of the essential nutrient magnesium.
This helps keep muscles relaxed and nerves calm when you’re under pressure.

e) Grapes-
Grapes contain resveratrol, a compound that boosts oxygen-rich blood flow to
the brain and reduces mood-sapping inflammation in brain tissues. Eat a small
bowl of red or green grapes and you’ll feel calmer and more upbeat in less
than 30 minutes.

f) Dark Chocolate-
Ah yes, the dessert a majority of people enjoy and if you want a healthier gut,
have an ounce or two or 2 cups of top quality hot cocoa each day.
Doing this one thing can tamp down even chronic tension and anxiety in as little
as 3 weeks. The compounds in dark chocolate are called flavonoids, and they
prod healthy gut bacteria to release tension-taming chemicals into the bloodstream.

That’s it, 6 Foods that’ll help you reduce holiday stress-easily and naturally.

Sources:
* British Research Team
* The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
* The European Journal of Nutrition

Please pass this article on to loved ones and family who get easily
stressed and rattled during the holiday months.
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Pinterest, Tik-Tok and Twitter.

Thank-You!