Stress can motivate, mentally exhaust or … lead to overweight. One of the worst forms of reaction to stress is “eating it”, i.e. compulsively consuming everything that is at hand. Of course, all sweets have the most “calming” effect – cookies, bars, ice cream, chocolate, which, thanks to the sugar content, give a temporary feeling of relaxation and raise the level of good mood. However, it only lasts a moment and in the long run it can be fatal…
It is no secret that products rich in carbohydrates and fats quickly increase the level of endorphins, which are lowered as a result of cortisol. That is why, instead of a wholesome meal, such as a plate of soup, or a carrot or an apple as a snack, we prefer to reach for all processed products that cause overweight, and eventually obesity and dangerous diseases, such as hypertension. Bars, cookies, wafers and candies allow you to forget about stress for a while … but is it a game worth sinning for?
Fight stress with the right food
Don’t forget what and how much you eat – don’t get nervous! Eat regularly, often, but at the same time in smaller portions. Chocolate, although it will dampen your nerves for a while, is rich in simple sugars that quickly raise the level of serotonin (the hormone responsible for feeling good) and just as quickly lower it.
Your diet must be dominated by products containing healthy fats and natural carbohydrates:
- Oatmeal – delicious, healthy, rich in complex carbohydrates that stimulate the production of serotonin. Stabilizes blood sugar levels. It will be perfect for breakfast before a stressful day!
- Orange – has a lot of vitamin C and contains a lot of cortisol. A great snack for work or school.
- Nuts, sunflower seeds and almonds – their consumption will provide you with a lot of vitamin E, which also reduces stress. Always have them at hand and you will quickly overcome stress, improve concentration and kill hunger.
- Fruits and vegetables – the flavonoids in them will also help soothe your nerves. You will find them primarily in apples, blueberries, tomatoes, peppers, legumes, citrus fruits, broccoli and green tea.
- Pistachios – will help avoid sudden pressure surges.
- Products containing anti-stress tryptophan – sunflower seeds, soybeans, sprouts, nuts, cocoa, pumpkin seeds.
- Healthy sweets for moments of crisis – dried figs, dates, apricots, raisins.
Don’t be afraid of nerves. It’s a natural part of life
In addition to changing your diet to be more beneficial for your body and spirit, you need to modify your thinking about stress. It’s your ally that motivates you when you need to act. It is also a natural reaction of the body that calls us to action and motivates us. If it sometimes paralyzes you, you can develop habits that help suppress it. Observe your body and eliminate from your life what causes nervous reactions. Learn to react moderately until it becomes a habit. At the same time, don’t repress strong emotions (everyone needs to cry sometimes, make a living), eat regularly, do sports (gym and fitness are a great way to fight stress!), relax in the moments intended for it. Don’t think about work and school when you have time off. Divide your time between work and relaxation!