4 Fall Foods that also Relieve Stress
You’ve heard the phrase before, “Food is fuel.” Although we all know that deep down, sometimes we forget that the best medicine is simply proper nutrition! Some foods reduce inflammation, some make your bones strong, some foods give you energy, but did you know that some foods actually help fight off stress?
As we head into the cold weather season, remember these top stress-reducing foods to combat seasonal depression.
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Turkey
We all know that the Thanksgiving turkey makes us sleepy, and we usually blame the bird for our food comas. (I know I’m not the only one who napped on my relatives’s couches every holiday season.) The reason for this is that turkey contains an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan helps to produce serotonin, which not only makes you tired but has a calming effect.
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Pumpkin Seeds
Remember tryptophan? Pumpkin seeds are rich in this incredible amino acid. This doesn’t just mean you’re bound to have an incredible nap, but the serotonin in pumpkin seeds will improve your mood as well! -
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with magnesium, which is a known anti-stress and relaxation mineral. Despite the large amount of health benefits magnesium contains, experts estimate that nearly 80% of North America are magnesium deficient.
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Cinnamon
One of the biggest health benefits that cinnamon offers is blood pressure reduction. The scent of cinnamon reduces irritability and can even ease the pain of migraines! Cinnamon also contains cinnamaldhyde. Studies have shown that cinnamaldhyde can increase the hormone progesterone and decrease testosterone production in women. Basically, this just means that cinnamaldhyde can help to regulate hormones that cause menstrual cramps – which let’s face it, makes us irritable.
If you’ve been feeling a little down in this fall season, make sure to dig into your favorite festive foods! Keep in mind that this is not a cure to any major illnesses, but can help reduce stress.
What are your all natural go-tos to reduce stress? I’d love to hear below!
Related: 7 Easy Changes You Can Make to Reduce Stress
