Stress, stress, stress! The mere mention of the word makes you curl your toes. Nobody likes stress. It’s an invisible beast that can affect your immune system, your mood and your cognitive abilities without ever showing its true face. Stress is not only destructive, but it’s also silent. You don’t notice it until it’s too late! And it has a tendency to take over your life, forcing you to make decisions and do things you wouldn’t otherwise.
One of the most dreaded consequences of stress if you’re a fitness enthusiast if how it affects your diet. Indeed, when you’re stressed out, you are more likely to over or under-eat, making it difficult to manage your weight. But the relationship between stress and diet works in both ways. While stress can affect what you eat, what you eat can affect your stress levels too. Here’s how your diet can make or break your stress.
A glass of wine doesn’t keep the stress away
The fake relaxant
A glass of wine is the best way to relax after a long day. Or maybe you need a second glass for good measure! In reality, alcohol doesn’t have a relaxing effect. It only nimbs stress for a short period. Once the impact of alcohol dissipates, the stress comes back. Think of it as a way to postpone the inevitable. Instead, a healthier approach would be to set a goal so that you can knowingly reduce your intake. There’s no denying that too much alcohol is bad for your health, but now you know that it doesn’t help with mental health either.
Relaxation in a pack
If you’re looking for effective relaxing food to help you cool down during a hectic period, you should have a look for natural remedies, such as exploring the relationship between marijuana and relaxation. In small and monitored amounts, you can free your mind from panic, anxiety and chronic stress. If you’re worried about social perceptions, you can choose to buy edibles online – some come as a pack of gummy bears, for instance! A low dose makes you more resilient to stress.
Say no to chips
What’s your typical lunch? A sandwich and a pack of chips when you’re short on time? If this sounds like the kind of things you eat on most days, you might be causing your body to feel in a perpetual state of stress. Indeed, salty food such as chips, for instance, increases your blood pressure. In the long term, this can affect the health of your heart. But in the short term, your body experiences similar symptoms to when you are going through a stressful situation: high blood pressure, stiffened posture, sleep troubles, muscle cramps, etc.
The little treats that help
You can encourage your body to relax through the consumption of delicious and healthy food, which is nourishing and good for you. A spoonful of honey can work wonders on your nerves! A mug of green tea encourages a sense of calm with its high L-theanine content. And finally, there’s nothing a square of dark chocolate can’t solve!
In conclusion, what you eat and drink can affect your body and cause a state of stress. Shift your diet toward healthier options to reduce your stress levels in the long term!
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