What to Eat to Relieve Stress!

Whether you may be a freshman or sophomore trying to finish off the first years of high school strong…a junior beginning to think about college and writing a college essay…a senior trying to stick out the last month of school before graduation…or a teacher having to deal with any of these students… in one way or another, stress is one thing that just about everyone throughout Padua inevitably has in common. One of the most typical things that people turn to when faced with stress is food, of course. Even though Ben and Jerry’s ice cream or a slice of chocolate cake may seem like the best go-to foods when stressed, there are actually specific foods that can eliminate the weight of stress better than others.

A salad may not seem to measure up to candy or cupcakes, but green leafy vegetables like spinach contain folate, which produces dopamine, a pleasure-inducing brain chemical, that can help keep a person calm. Students also tend to not only feel calmer, but also happier and more energetic on days where they eat fruits and veggies.

Happiness can also be regulated from eating turkey, because it contains an amino acid that helps produce serotonin.

When wanting to eliminate stress before the day even really begins, oatmeal is a great breakfast to turn to. Oatmeal contains carbohydrates that can help the brain make serotonin, the same substance regulated by antidepressants. For super stress relief, putting some blueberries into or on the side of a bowl of oatmeal will add an addition of helping improve a body’s response to stress and fight stress.

Despite vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and oats all being great stress relievers, dark chocolate is the best alternative for the people who would still rather turn to something sugary and sweet. Having just a square or two of dark chocolate has the power to reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure, and improving circulation. It also contains unique natural substances that create a sense of euphoria, which is similar to the feeling of being in love!