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Let’s face it, anxiety doesn’t disappear after the holiday season. Hopefully it’s calmed down a bit for everyone, but anxiety is one of those strange emotions that could rear its ugly head at any time. Feeling overwhelmed or anxious can be caused by so many different scenarios-and everyone handles things differently
Eating the right foods is a first line of defense when it comes to treating anxiety.
6 Superfoods to Help Beat Anxiety
Blueberries
Blueberries [2] have always been a favorite superfood since they offer so many nutritional benefits. Add to the list anxiety buster. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C which may help regulate and prevent spikes in cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone and when elevated cortisol your anxiety response kicks into gear.
Almonds
There’s no denying that nuts are good food [3]. Researchers found people who ate a daily handful of nuts were 20 percent less likely to die from heart disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses over a 30-year period than were those who didn’t. Almonds contain zinc, a key nutrient for keeping our mood in check.
Whole Grains
Whole grains, including barley, oats, rice, millet and quinoa [4] can actually help ward off anxiety.Whole grain foods help us to regulate levels of serotonin [5], also known as a happiness hormone because it contributes to feelings of well-being.
Dark Chocolate
This is your license to eat more chocolate (provided it’s dark chocolate without added sugar and milk, organic and fairly traded). Chocolate, much like blueberries, reduces cortisol – the stress hormone that causes anxiety symptoms.
Asparagus
Asparagus is rich in folate, a B vitamin that converts to folic acid in the body. Anxiety has been linked to low levels of folic acid, and asparagus is one vegetable that is full of this important nutrient.
Salmon
The omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon [6], may help calm our mood. Researchers at Ohio State University [7] discovered that eating 12 to 15 ounces of salmon can reduce stress and anxiety by more than 20%.
Remember diet is a only a first step. Don’t forget to get enough sleep, drink water and smile when you first wake up in the morning!
**Please check in with your physician if anxiety persists.
What are your favorite anxiety- busting foods?
photo credit: maira.gall [8] via photopin [9] cc [10]