Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency-- Natralie Goldberg
Stress is omnipresent. Whether it is a deadline at work, peer pressure, or heavy traffic. When we let stress get the better of us, it hampers the functions of our immune system. The consequences of stress can be high blood pressure, diabetes, stomach ulcers, depression etc. There are several food and food groups that can help to ease stress.
A few tips to keep stress at bay:
Yoga and meditation:
Breathing exercises such as Pranayam help clear the unwanted thoughts from your body. A workout also help body secret happy hormones that makes you feel good about yourself.
Eat fruits:
Fruits are ideal food for reducing stress. A number of people tend to go on a binge when under stress. Those who overeat to fight stress end up having to battle obesity as well. When the body is under stress the demand for nutrients is more as more key nutrients are burned up. Eat foods rich in anti- oxidants such as dry fruits, bananas, figs. Antioxidants help to fight stress by preventing free radical damage.
Detoxify and Relax:
Sit down, take a deep breath and sip a warm cup of tulsi tea, chamomile tea, or peppermint tea. You will feel energised.
Include greens in your plate:
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli can help to reduce stress. When you are under stress, the body generates lots of free radicals that harm the cells. The bio-flavinoids present in vegetables protects the body against such damage.
Remember --Tough times don’t last, tough people do!
The writer is a Delhi-based nutritionist