Stress is a part and parcel of life. There’s no escaping it. Everyone endures stress, and it is perfectly natural to seek some relief from it. In fact, relief is necessary because prolonged stress can lead to chronic stress, which, if left untreated, can cause heart-related issues, burn you out, and affect your mental and emotional well-being. When faced with massive stress, we turn to food, but are you eating the right kind of stress-busting foods?
Top Healthy Stress Busting Foods
Don’t let relief come in the form of junk food. Instead, you can try these healthy stress-busting foods:
- Asparagus: It is high in folic acid, which helps you relax. A vegetable like this, which is high in folate—a calming B-complex vitamin known to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety—also helps produce dopamine for the brain. Enjoy cooked or raw asparagus to reap the benefits of this powerful food.
- Avocado: Rich in healthy fat, magnesium, and fiber, avocado also contains vitamin B, which benefits your nerves and brain cells while reducing stress. It has a substance called potassium that helps by regulating your stress and blood pressure levels. Eating half an avocado daily is good for you!
- Almond: Vitamin B and magnesium help your body produce serotonin—a hormone that regulates mood and relieves stress—and almonds are loaded with them! So don’t be driven nuts by stress; instead, eat almonds!
- Spinach: It might not be on your go-to list of foods to eat when stressed, but it is necessary! The magnesium in spinach can lift your mood and keep your stress hormones in check.
- Coconuts: They are rich in medium-chain triglycerides, which are excellent fuel for the brain and body. The antioxidants in coconut can heal your system and protect your mind. Medium-chain triglycerides are also great for improving digestion and overall mood.
- Walnuts: They are known for their omega-3 content, which is very useful in fighting depression. They’re also packed with tryptophan, which indirectly increases serotonin levels. When your serotonin levels are high, you feel more relaxed, calm, and happy!
- Pumpkin seeds: These contain magnesium, which helps in reducing stress naturally and decreases the tension in your muscles. They also contain another mineral called zinc that keeps you cheerful always.
- Eggs: They have a good amount of vitamin B12, which is great for building mood. Eggs trigger the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like acetylcholine.
- Ghee: Homemade or pure A2 ghee is known to have medicinal properties that can heal your gut and improve digestion. Better digestion also improves your emotional state. This makes it one of the top stress-busting foods.
- Honey: It is packed with anti-inflammatory properties that can increase the spread of serotonin and dopamine in your brain. Some raw, organic honey can certainly make you happier
- Cashew Nuts: Apart from satisfying your taste buds, cashew nuts are one of the best stress-busting foods as they supply your body with a good amount of protein and zinc, which help you reduce stress and anxiety.
We hope you will incorporate these stress busting foods into your daily diet. Do you know someone who is perpetually stressed? Share this with them and help them find relief. For more articles on busting stress, check out Healthy Reads. Get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach by subscribing to Personalised Health Coaching here.
You can also purchase some of the above listed foods such as A2 Cow Ghee, Organic Honey, Pumpkin Seeds, Cashew Nuts and Walnuts for a discount using GOQii Cash on the GOQii Health Store within the GOQii App.
#BeTheForce
Avoid foods that are linked to stress and anxiety. 
Picture yourself about to deliver a crucial presentation at work. Standing before your colleagues, you feel your heart racing, your hands slightly sweaty, and your mind zeroing in on every word you’re about to say. That surge you feel? It’s stress at work—a natural response gearing you up to perform at your best. In this moment, stress isn’t a barrier; it’s a boost, keeping you sharp, focused, and ready to engage.
Stress and nutrition have always been linked – it’s a fact that has been in existence for years. It’s no rocket science to realize that someone with a healthy and balanced diet is likely to be far less stressed than someone with a poor diet.
