Foods that help reduce stress
March 15, 2012
Balancing the demands of going to school with raising a family can be stressful.
While some people thrive on a little bit of stress to keep them performing their best, others suffer effects such as insomnia, difficulty concentrating and mood swings. Others may suffer from health problems such as a lower resistance to illnesses like the common cold and other viruses as well as high blood pressure.
Many use methods such as meditation and exercise to reduce the stress in their lives. Others deal with stress by eating. However, experts say making changes to your diet can help alleviate some of the pressure you feel.
"One of the keys is avoiding things that will give your body and mind real highs and lows like caffeine and alcohol," registered dietician Tara Geise told Better Homes and Gardens. "You don't want to intake a lot of stimulants or a lot of depressants when you're stressed."
Although some may deal with stress by eating sweet snacks, experts say that may not be the best idea either.
"Sugar causes your blood sugar to spike and then fall quickly, which can make your energy level dip. Then you're low energy and stressed and that's not a good picture," Geise told the publication.
Instead, foods that help stabilize blood sugar levels can act as stress-busters.
According to MedicineNet.com, complex carbohydrates such as whole grain bread, cereal, pasta and oatmeal can help avoid blood sugar to rise and fall rapidly. Carbs are also helpful in prompting the brain to make more serotonin, a feel-good chemical.
Foods that are high in vitamin C are also known to help combat stress. These include citrus fruits such as oranges as well as blueberries.
Bananas, sunflower seeds, turkey, salmon, tuna and sweet potatoes, which all contain vitamin B6, can also help reduce stress. Foods with a high concentration of magnesium, like spinach, are also good options. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods such as mackerel, salmon, herring, lake trout, sardines, albacore tuna and pistachios are good choices for those looking to reduce their stress.
One thing that shouldn't cause mothers pursuing a college degree stress is paying for their education. A variety of grants for parents, scholarships for mothers and other financial aid make it easier than ever for many to fulfill their dream of becoming college graduates.
