If you are feeling stressed and tend to get a little overwhelmed sometimes, you should indeed look at the food you eat and consider including some foods that will bring a sense of calm in your life.

While you may include foods like a bag of chips in your list of comfort foods, it’s not really going to help you in the long run. When you are feeling under pressure, it’s much easier to grab a sweet treat, than think about making healthy food choices.

To help you, we have made a list of some stress busting and calm inducing foods that can help you feel good by lowering your blood pressure levels and reducing your cortisol levels so that your mood stays balanced and you stay calm.

CAPSICUM
When we are stressed, the human body releases a chemical known as cortisol. Consuming capsicum can help reduce the levels of cortisol in the blood stream, therefore, making one feel less stressed. It also contains Vitamin C that helps boost ones immunity.

COOKED TOMATO
Cooked tomato to help reduce the level of cortisol in the blood stream and is a great source of lycopene, which is known to reduce depression symptoms. It also helps prevent blood clots and prevent inflammation in the body. Now you know why tomato soup makes for the perfect comfort food.

SPINACH
Spinach and all dark leafy green vegetables are rich in folate, which helps the body produce dopamine and serotonin, essential hormones that help regulate ones mood. High in magnesium, it helps lower high blood pressure. When the body experiences stress, levels of magnesium decrease and these need to be replenished.

AVOCADO
A power house of more than 20 health boosting nutrients, including the likes of, B Vitamins, Vitamin E, potassium and folate, avocados are great to regulate blood pressure levels and keep you feel mentally balanced through the day, even in times of stress.

To experience a calmer life, consider including foods like salmon, dark chocolate, walnuts, turkey and sesame seeds in your lifestyle. Speak with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist or get in touch with a Homeopath to learn how you can achieve your stress relief goals through a good and natural diet.