It is easy to get overwhelmed in today’s fast paced lifestyle. It seems like no matter how much we do the to do list never gets any shorter. Not to mention, the fact that everything has to happen this instant. It’s no wonder stress has become an epidemic world wide. We all know we need to take more time to reset and unwind. But who has the time for all that? Luckily, there are several different natural tools at our disposal that can help us battle the constant onslaught of stress we face in our daily lives.
Nutrition is Number One!
One of the best tools I have found over the years is nutrition. Now I know what you are going to say, “Does it really DO anything?” Yes! Nutrition is the foundation of good health. Our bodies are designed to fix and balance themselves out. If that’s the case why do we have so many issues with our health? One of the biggest reasons is our nutrition. Our bodies want to work for us, not against us. In order for them to do their jobs we need to provide them with the proper building materials.
What can Help Reduce Stress?
While there are a variety of tools and techniques you can implement to reduce your stress naturally such as: aroma therapy, meditation, exercise, coloring, music, and so much more. One of the best techniques I have seen for stress reduction is through nutrition. I know, I bring it up all the time. However, the human body was designed to naturally fix and balance itself out. Why does it seem like it’s not doing that properly?
Variety is The Spice of Life
The mass majority of the time this is due to the fact that we are not providing the body with the materials it needs to fix itself. With nutrition we can ensure our bodies get the ingredients they need to perform the desired task. There are a variety of foods that can help naturally reduce our stress levels. For your convenience I have taken the time to pull together a couple of seasonal foods that do just that and I have even taken the time to prepare a quick and easy breakfast recipe to go with it.
Power Packed Foods!
You will find that a great deal of the stress reducing foods also happen to be anti-inflammatory foods as well. It makes sense when you stop to think about what happens to a hose with a kink in it. The pressure builds up until it bursts. Our bodies are similar in the fact that the stress acts like the pressure that is building up which also has a direct correlation to our blood pressure. This means that when the stress goes up so does the blood pressure.
Stress Reducing Foods
Some of the best stress reducing foods for this season are berries, almonds, and coconuts. While any berries will do for this post we are going to focus on the magical blackberry which has been used for thousands of years to aid in oral health. Blackberries are great for a number of purposes. For example, did you know they are great for weight loss, due to their high fiber and low sugar content? They help lower cholesterol, are anti-inflammatories, are a great source of folate, promote healthy skin and hair, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and mood disorders.
Stress Reduction Helpers!
Another food that is great for stress reduction is found in coconuts. Not only do they produce a natural antibiotic, they can also aid in weight loss, increase energy, boost brain function, and prevent depression. If that were not enough they also aid in regulating bowel movements, reduce risk of diabetes, improve cardiovascular health, strengthen bones, improve oral health, and aid in the regulation of blood sugars.
Nutritional Options
There are other great nutritional options to reduce stress levels such as almonds. Almonds are great for aiding in digestive health, promoting weight loss, and boosting energy levels. They have also been known to support heart health, lower bad cholesterol, aid in regulation of blood sugars, improve brain power, great for skin and hair health, and strengthen bones. By now I am sure you are ready to put these foods to work for you. Here is a quick and easy breakfast that will do just that.
Blackberry Lemon Quinoa Cereal
Gluten free Vegan Serves 1
- -1 tsp Maple Syrup
- -1 tsp Lemon Juice
- -1 Pinch Sea Salt
- -¼ Cup Coconut Milk
- -½ Cup Quinoa cooked
- -½ Cup Blackberries
- -½ tsp Cinnamon Ground
- -1 TBSP Almonds Sliced
Combine all ingredients except berries and almonds. Mix well and top with nuts and berries. *For added flavor I cook my Quinoa in half water and half apple juice
Take It Easy
Life is hard enough, why make it any harder on yourself? I hope this information and recipe will help you to get your stress under control. Remember it is vital to your health to take the time to destress and take care of yourself. The next time you think you don’t have time to destress just remember that the consequences of not taking care of yourself take a LOT more of your time. If you would like help creating a customized nutritional plan or additional all natural tools for stress reduction be sure to contact me. Here is my personal email to do just that [email protected].