7 Types Of Food That Calm Your Body

After 16 months of being off from my day job, I am heading back in 2 weeks time.  I am feeling a bit stressed about it.  It will be like starting a new job. Things have changed.  People, policies, procedures have changed.

Luckily my employer and my staff are happy to have me back and are doing all that they can to ensure that my return is as pleasant as possible.

Luckily I am now physically able to go back to my job.  My body has done well to heal.

To ensure my success, I am making a conscious effort to give my body the best food that I can.

I want my body to be able to handle what comes at it.

I want to be strong.

I want my immune system to be strong (I will be around a lot more people now and will have to deal with all of their germs and such).

I will commit to doing the following:

1. I will continue to drink green juice regularly.  I know that foods with chlorophyll (ie green vegetables) will boost my immune system.  They are also high in antioxidants.  Remember that antioxidants help remove potentially damaging things in our body.

2. I will continue to eat lots of fresh greens…lettuce, spinach, kale, parsley…in salads, wraps, smoothies, etc.  Dark, leafy greens are high in magnesium.  Magnesium is a mineral that helps regulate cortisol levels and helps you feel good.  It is a vital stress-relief mineral.

3. My brain will be working hard and I will need to give it extra support by making sure that I get lots of essential fatty acids.  EFA’s are important in reducing the stress-response.  To help with this, I will, regularly, include

4. Chia seeds

5. Flax seeds

6. Hemp seeds

7. Pumpkin seeds …are high in zinc. Zinc is useful in combating anxiety and depression.  Your body does not store zinc very well, so you need to get some zinc every day.

8. Sunflower seeds

9. Walnuts … have been shown to prevent memory loss.  Memory is important when you are working in a fast-paced job!

10. Almonds … contain Vitamin B2 and Vitamin E and these vitamins support the immune system.

11. Avocados

12. I will be inclined to eat more cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, because these vegetables support enzymes that metabolize stress hormones more easily.

13. Luckily I am not a coffee drinker so I will not be putting that extra stress on my body.  I do like a piece of chocolate now and again (a little more on the again) so I will be conscious of keeping that to a minimum. The good news is that dark chocolate does contain polyphenols and flavonols which are two important types of antioxidants.  Dark chocolate, in particular, is known to lower blood pressure, adding to a feeling of calm.  So I figure at least once a week will do me good. 🙂

14. I will put berries in my smoothies.  Berries have high levels of antioxidants and are rich in Vitamin C.  Vitamin C helps repair and protect cells and is helpful in combating stress.

15. Chamomile tea will be my regular night cap.  A study from the University of Pennsylvania tested chamomile supplements on 57 participants with generalized anxiety disorder for 8 weeks, and found it led to a significant drop in anxiety symptoms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there is some evidence that, in addition to calming nerves, chamomile helps you get to sleep.

In addition to these food habits, I will also work on being more mindful and take deep breaths regularly.  Meditation is working it’s way into my daily routine to help give me a more calm, centered feeling inside.

Of course, a daily brisk walk outside will continue.  I know my body really needs it and loves it.

I will take heed in the advice of Sandra Pawula and re-read her article called 7 Simple Stress Tips regularly.

I will also post new and interesting recipes for you more often.  After all, yummy, tasty food is what we are wanting!

Thanks for reading.