Stress can be a hindrance in everyday life. It interferes with both everyday activities and major milestones. We all try to avoid stress as best as we can, but it’s not always as easy as that.
However, there are some small ways we can unwind the tension, such as using CBD oil for stress, enjoying daily exercise or having a healthy diet.
Here, we’re going to be having a look at the relationship between stress and diets. You’ll find out how to create harmony between the two and hopefully, reduce your daily stress.
Stress and Diet: Why are They Linked?
It may sound surprising that eating can have an impact on our stress levels, but if you think back to when you may have drunk too much coffee due to a sleepless night or an important deadline, you begin to understand.
Although the sleepless night or deadline were providing the perfect environment for a stressful situation, the caffeine in the coffee is also stimulating the adrenal glands to release hormones such as cortisol, our stress hormone.
Eating and drinking certain food and drinks may seem like small, insignificant factors, but as these habits mount up, they can influence how we create and deal with stress.
Chronic stress weakens the immune system, ultimately compromising the body’s defences. When ill, the body is under even more strain, so it’s important to be mindful of a healthy diet to help support your body.
Food and Drinks That Contribute to Stress
While a generally good diet can contribute to a more positive outlook, there are certain foods to watch out for if you want to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Sugar and Fat
When feeling stressed, you have probably encountered a craving for processed sugar. Sugar will only provide a short burst of energy; you may feel a temporary relief from the stress but your sugar levels will eventually crash.
The sugar crash, otherwise known as a ‘low’ period, will put a strain on the body and can cause irritability as well as increased food cravings. This can create a vicious cycle and make you feel worse in the long term.
Alcohol
Although alcohol is known to take the edge off and is used as a means of coping with stress, in the long term it can cause sleep problems and nervousness. It releases large amounts of adrenaline and also affects blood sugar levels.
Processed Carbohydrates
With little nutritional value, processed carbohydrates can cause fluctuating blood sugar levels, this can leave you feeling even more moody and irritable.
How Improving Your Diet Can Reduce Stress
It’s important to take some time for self-care. Stress can lead to us placing more pressure to not feel it or simply carry on without everyday activities. During these times, it’s recommended to nurture the body’s needs.
Vitamins and Minerals
It’s always a good idea to be mindful of B vitamins, vitamin C and Magnesium. B vitamins help to provide energy; you can find them in bananas and nuts, which are great for snacking on. They can also be found in meat, fish and dairy.
Vitamin C-rich foods are not only great for the immune system, but the biggest store of it is in the adrenal glands, which produce the stress hormone. To keep this healthy, you should incorporate more tomatoes, peppers and broccoli into your diet.
Magnesium is an essential mineral as it reduces anxiety and relaxes the muscles, while also being involved with hormone and energy production. You should try to involve it in your diet by eating brazil nuts, lentils, whole grains and leafy greens.
CBD can offer you support by helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. However, it is not a miracle cure. If you feel like you might be suffering from chronic stress, we would advise speaking to a healthcare professional about your concerns.
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