Stress Relievers Through Foods & Exercise

Parent's Well-Being series 3 of 8

Did you know that certain foods can be beneficial during a stressful time in your life? And did you know a brain chemical monoamine neurotransmitter called serotonin is needed for a good restful sleep? If you are lacking enough sleep

due to anxiety and stress, you might not have enough serotonin to convert to the sleep substance melatonin.

Here is a list of foods that help tame stress and boost serotonin levels: (This list isn't for everyone. If you are on a strict diet and it's working for you, it's my suggestion to continue what works for you.)

•  Oatmeal with fruit 
•  Complex carbs~whole grain breads

~pastas

~breakfast cereal

~old fashion oatmeal

• Limit sweets and soda 
• Oranges have vitamin C & curbs levels of stress hormones 
•  Spinach or other green leafy vegetables have magnesium 
•  Cooked soybeans or fillet of salmon also have magnesium 
•  Fatty fish with omega-3 fatty acids help prevent surges of stress hormones

~salmon

~tuna (3oz) 2 times a week

•  Crunchy raw vegetables help ease stress in a purely mechanical way

~carrots

~celery

• Nuts is another source of healthy fats which lowers cholesterol, ease inflammation in your hearts arteries, and help protect you against the effects of stress

~handful of pistachios and walnuts

~almonds (1/4 cup a day) has vitamin E which acts as a booster to your immune system + vitamin B which help gain resilience during stressful situations

• Avocado is one of the best ways to reduce high blood pressure and has more potassium than a medium size banana 
•  Drink healthy drinks

~water

~Powerade (has vitamin B3 B6 & B12, potassium, and magnesium)

~Silk soy milk (has more calcium and vitamin B than regular dairy milk

• Bedtime snacking? It’s suggested to not eat dinner too late or too close to bedtime. Why? This can trigger heartburn.

~snack on something light like carbs to speed up the release of the brain chemical serotonin and help you sleep better.

Get moving and de-stress with exercise:

• 30 minute aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times a week

~power walking

~workout indoors with a stair stepper or exercise machine

Other ways to help calm anxieties and stress:

~give mindful meditation a try with a variety of meditation CD’s online. I like to listen to a soothing meditation CD sometime before bedtime to help ease my worries

~give journaling a try by writing your concerns on paper ~ ~read my article on Overwhelmedwith Worrying? Or Preoccupied with What-Ifs? It has suggestions on journaling questions to ask self.

~listen to some calming music

~get out and enjoy some sunshine

~go get a professional message

~relax in a nice warm bath

~watch a movie that makes you laugh

~connect with friends that have a positive outlook which can give you some encouragement

Check out this slide show on “Diet for Stress-Management” through WebMD website:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-diet-for-stress-management

Hope these suggestions are helpful for you as it is important to take good care of our well-being.

*Iva

Related topics:

How to Compromise and Communicate with Your Child's Child Care Provider (Series 1of 8)

Overwhelmed with worrying? Or preoccupied with “What ifs?” (Series 2 of 8)

Stress Relievers Through Food & Exercise Part 2 (Series 4 of 8)

Got Me Time? (Series 5 of 8)

Favorite Quotes to Live By (Series 6 of 8)

Can We Control Our Thoughts? (Series 7 of 8)

Discover Your Quiet Place (Series 8 of 8)

(Click here) Vote for Precious Years Blogger on Top Baby Blogs