Seeing as we’ve been living through a pandemic for close to a year now, most of us are mentally drained at this point. Having to deal with anxieties about health, finances or feeling confined for long periods of time is enough to max anyone out.
To say we are stressed is an understatement, but it’s important to not use our current situation as an excuse to abandon our healthy goals. What challenges you face now won’t be solved by multiple trips to the refrigerator. In fact, making good food choices is one of the healthy things you can do to help overcome stressful feelings.
Are there specific foods that are thought to help aid in improving spirits and reducing anxiety? There sure are.
These foods include:
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Bell Peppers
- Kale
- Spinach
- Walnuts
- Fatty Fish, like Salmon
- Yogurt
- Dark Chocolate
- Green Tea
In general, foods rich in Vitamin C and Omega-3 are thought to help boost mood and reduce stress levels. Add a combination of any of these foods to your next grocery list or consider them when meal prepping for your busy week ahead.
Some foods mentioned above also contain healthy antioxidants, which help improve circulation and quality of sleep. This in turn can aid in reducing stress during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the nutrition and behavioral health services we offer at Bon Secours.
