More Super-foods for Stress Relief

Pistachios; The rhythmic moves of shelling nuts may help relax you during stressful periods. Eating pistachios may reduce acute stress by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. The nuts contain phytonutrients that may provide antioxidant support for cardiovascular health.

Dark chocolate; Just a bite, not a whole bar! may regulate your stress levels. Research has shown that it can reduce our stress hormones, including cortisol. The antioxidants in cocoa trigger the walls of your blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and improving circulation. Go for the varieties that contain at least 70 % cocoa.

Milk; an excellent source of vitamin D, a nutrient that boosts happiness. In one study people who had sufficient vitamin D levels had a reduced risk of panic disorders compared to people with lowest vitamin D levels.

Seeds; Flaxseed, pumpkin seed, and sunflower seeds are all great sources of magnesium . Loading up on the mineral may help regulate hormones and alleviate depression, fatigue, and irritability. It also may help fight PMS symptoms including cramps and water retention.

Avocado; This super-fruit might help shut down stress-eating by keeping you full. In a study , adding 1/2 an avocado at lunch reduced people’s desire to eat more by 40 % for the three hours following the midday meal. The full feeling will make you less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks when stress kicks in. http://ow.ly/i/bBREh