Anxiety and stress have become a common part of our lives these days. There is no one around you that will tell you that they haven’t suffered from anxiety and stress. The thing is that our lives these days have become quite hectic. We have taken responsibilities that we can’t possibly complete without securing up our lives. This only leaves us with mental health problems and nothing more.
The constant pressure from your boss, your family, and your friends leaves you in an unrest state, which causes anxiety. Not only adults but kids these days are also suffering from stress and anxiety. The percentage of individuals affected by both is increasing day by day, and there is no way of stopping it until we change our lives around and start doing activities and consuming food that reduces stress.
To help you out and make things easier, today, in this article, we will be talking about foods packed with specialized nutrients that help fight your unrest state. In other words, we are going to be discussing foods that reduce anxiety and depression to help you live a healthy life.
1. Brazil nuts
Who doesn’t like nuts? Apart from the individuals who are allergic to them, brazil nuts are like a superfood packed with a number of healthy nutrients that can help you fight stress and anxiety. Specifically speaking, they tend to contain high amounts of selenium, which research suggests helps elevate your mood.
Anything that can help you feel better in terms of emotions is good for fighting mental disorders. Selenium, in actual, is an antioxidant which, when consumed, helps fight inflammation in the brain, which is the major cause behind anxiety. Furthermore, it also helps fight free radicals that damage cells and lead to cancer in certain cases.
But like all other things, selenium comes with its side effects as well, so one shouldn’t consume it in higher quantity. It is best to limit it to 400 micrograms per day or as recommended by your doctor for effective results.
2. Fatty fish
Almost everyone should consume fatty fish to benefit from the rich Omega 3 fatty acids packed inside them that are responsible for enhancing your cognitive functions as well as improving your mental health.
The two essential fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are known to regulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, especially serotonin, which is known as the happy hormone. An increase in serotonin helps elevate your mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Other than that, these fatty acids are also known to help reduce inflammation. Stress and high anxiety levels can cause the brain muscles to get swollen, which then press on to the nerves and result in throbbing pain. To fight that, you need to reduce the inflammation, and Omega 3 fatty acids in fatty fish help do that. Plus, they are a great addition to your healthy diet, so why not add it right away?
3. Eggs
Eggs are rich in proteins and Vitamin D, both of which are essential components required to fight your stressful state. Furthermore, eggs contain a specific bioactive chemical called the tryptophan, which is responsible for the production of the happy neurotransmitter serotonin.
Studies suggest that serotonin helps with behavior, mood, memory, and sleep. So regulating the level of serotonin in your brain is very important. Eggs help increase the serotonin level by forcing the production of the chemical in your brain to elevate your mood.
4. Pumpkin seeds
Halloween is just around the corner. You are definitely going to carve some pumpkins for your front porch. Instead of throwing away the pumpkin seeds this year, why not eat them? Wondering why? Well, pumpkin seeds are a rich source of potassium, which helps regulate your blood pressure. Other than that, it also helps reduce and prevent the symptoms of stress and anxiety from helping keep your mood regulated.
Other than that, research also suggests that pumpkin seeds are packed with zinc, which is an essential nutrient required for the development and functioning of your brain. Zinc is stored in the mood-regulating region of the brain, which is why zinc deficiency can lead to depression and anxiety.
5. CBD
CBD is a herbal supplement extracted from the hemp plant, which is packed with a number of anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer properties. Consuming CBD is a controlled dosage that can help you fight mental disorders and enjoy a peace and pain-free life. So get your CBD cartridge or CBD juice to have your best drink for anxiety with you at all times.
Final Words
Adding foods that reduce stress and depression to your diet can help you prevent it to an extreme level. A healthy brain equals fewer mental health issues. So try adding them to your daily meals one by one to get used to them and keep up with your daily grinding without falling prey to mental health issues.
Other than that, in case you are already suffering from mental disorders, it is best that you consult a professional right away. You can use CBD drinks to fight the pain and the unrest, but getting help from a professional is the right way to go forward.