Natural Alternatives To Relieve Stress
Good morning and happy long-weekend Friday!
Stress. We all have it right. How we handle it can make all the difference in our health and how we feel. Lately, I’ve had a little lot more stress in my life than usual and my body is telling me so.
Headaches + Low Energy + Neck Tension = I’m Stressed
I haven’t handled the stress very well but that is going to STOP. My number one go-to for stress relief is running. So the question becomes what can I do to relieve stress when I can’t run? How do I prevent the headaches and muscle tension? I’ve been searching for natural alternatives for stress relief. I know one thing I have found to be the most helpful is to stay as active as possible (without risk of delaying recovery) which has been strength training upper body and yoga. My other option, worded best Hippocrates,
“Let food be thy medicine.”
Our diet can help relieve stress. Whether it’s a comfort food that boosts levels of serotonin or foods that cut levels of cortisol and adrenaline (aka stress hormones) what we eat can play a big part in reducing stress and the affects it has on our body. I’m not saying eat a bag of Oreos or grab your favorite ice cream. Instead, focus on healthy foods knowing that eating anything and everything without regard to what I’m eating doesn’t help and, in my experience, can make the stress worse.
Foods for Stress Relief
- oatmeal
- avocado
- decaffeinated tea
- spinach
- pistachios
- raw veggies
- almonds
- fatty fish
Have you ever noticed how often salmon, almonds and spinach are on a variety of “healthy” food lists?
I am not an expert on stress and nutrition. The information I have shared is from research and my personal experience.
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When your number 1 go-to for stress relief isn’t an option what do you do instead? What healthy foods have you found to be a stress buster?
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So turning to the pint of ice cream is no good? LOL I am going to print the list of stress relieving foods and give it a try.
I find taking a nice alone walk helps too.
These are great tips!! I love a cup of tea when I am just feeling completely overwhelmed, and it’s usually calorie free and calms me down. The Sleepy Time Tea is my favorite! 🙂
I don’t know what foods help with my stress but I certainly know which ones make my stress worse. I pinned this to my board which is aptly named “Food is thy medicine.”
Salmon is definitely my go-to for ALL of my problems! It always turns my frown upside down! LOL! 😉
Great list! Unfortunately I tend to crave pizza when I am stressed out 🙂 Luckily I’ve come up with a healthy version of pizza for such occasions – I use wheat pita bread, go light on the cheese, and load it up with vegetables like spinach, peppers, mushrooms, etc.
My husband is the same Gina. I know when he’s had a stressful week at work before he even tells me. He wants pizza for dinner multiple time during the week.
Ok, I have definitely been turning to the wrong food when I’m stressed! Blizzard from Dairy Queen? probably not helpful.
LOL same is true for brownies 🙂
I crave peanut butter when I’m stressed. And shopping : )
Interesting. I’m the same with almond butter. Hello healthy fats 🙂
I’m totally with you, Jill. I run for stress relief, too. Now that I can’t do it (at least not as much), I have to find new ways. I usually DON’T eat when I am stressed, which is something I’m working on. Thanks for these tips!
Hi Amy. Not eat when you’re stressed? That’s almost unheard of 🙂 Yes, I eat when I’m stressed but I’m getting better at eating the right foods.
I have honestly never thought of foods being a stress reliever, that is pretty interesting. I love days when I learn something new. Thanks for sharing Jill!
Hi Kristy. Until now I always thought of food and stress and a negative combination. The trick is choosing the right foods which can be easier said than done 🙂
So interesting! I’m definitely covered with oats lol 😉
I am completely guilty of stress eating and NOT reaching for the healthy food when I do. That’s one of the biggest reason I don’t keep ice cream in the house! I love this list of healthy foods. I need to write the list out and stick it on my fridge as a reminder. 🙂
Me too Angie! I have to be so careful or I will eat any salty snack within reach 🙂
I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with extra stress lately :(. Neck tension is the worst – I deal with it, too! For some reason, an egg (or egg white) scramble filled with veggies (including spinach) and topped with avocado and salsa is always stress relieving. Maybe it’s a comfort food for me, plus it has two foods on your list!
Thanks Megan. Interesting food of choice when you’re stressed. Bonus that it’s good for you!
I love all the foods on the list. Probably why I don’t get stressed often? 😛 When I’m stressed, I prefer to turn to fitness rather than food. A good workout or yoga session usually does the trick.
Yoga works wonders!
I am terrible with turning to food during stress! I do like a calming tea to help relax.
Me too Jen! But, I’m working on it 🙂
I love the idea of using healthy food as a way to relieve stress instead of loading up on junk food to TRY and feel better!!
Reading a good book (fiction) usually helps relieve stress for me if I can’t workout!
I should have included reading in the post! In fact I’m off to B&N to stock up 🙂
I’d like to believe my daily oats help me from having a panic attack each day 🙂 A cup of tea always helps!
I also have the recipe for a basic lemon tea that is supposed to be great for relieving headaches, especially those caused by stress. Food can do wonders, for sure!
Do you mind sharing your recipe 🙂
Tea is my number 2 stress relief tip (exercise is the first). I think it may be the simple act of stopping, sipping and breathing.
I like all of the foods on your list of Foods for Stress Relief! Making and drinking a cup of tea is something that takes a few minutes and requires me to slow down – helpful during a stressful time. I hope you have a good and stress-free weekend!
Thank you Tina 🙂 I drink hot tea often but I hadn’t thought of the it slows me down as part of the relaxing. Good point!
What a great way at looking at this. Love the list because those are some of my favorite foods. I definitely agree with Angela about a warm bowl of oats! (as I’m eating them right now!!)
Another oats fan here. I’m on a baked oatmeal kick right now. Yum!
i was just thinking that nuts, salmon, and spinach are on every “healthy” list! itz true!!
I find as my marathon training kicks up and I start feeling the fatigue- I start craving tabbouleh. I go to the neighborhood middle eastern restaurant (yes, we have them on every corner) and get my chicken shish tawook with hummus and tabbouleh. I always wondered what my body was craving- figured it was something in the parsley and garlic.
I’ve only thought of food as something I go to when I’m stressed (hello chocolate!). A warm bowl of oats is definitely a comfort food for me so I guess that would help relieve it. Interesting topic!
Until now that’s exactly how I saw food and stress, chocolate! Chocolate makes everything seem better 🙂