We should never underestimate the StressBusting™ value of the foods we consume on a day to day basis.
There are 2 main reasons for this, which are:-
● the foods we consume can have a positive stress reducing biological impact on our wellbeing
● the foods can also have a positive mental influence on that level of wellbeing
Without putting too fine a point on it, there is an old saying that "we are what we eat" and to some extent this is true. If you put sub standard fuel in a motor vehicle, then it will simply not run as well as on the premium equivalent.
So too a diet overburdended with complex carbohydrates and refined sugars is likely to leave us feeling plumped and sluggish. And similarly, a diet totally lacking in good carbohydrates or premised too heavily on long periods of fasting may deprive us of the ability to perform everyday tasks - see our post entitled "ENERGY: The Most Precious Stressbusting™ Commodity in Life".
Yet the vast majority of dietary conversation and resources available surround (and can even by unhealthily obsessed by) the issues of weight loss and management.
Very few indeed approach the matter from a stress reduction or moderation perspective.
This we believe is part of a continuing global tendency to prioritise physical health over mental health, which inequality we are seeking to address as part of our Mission Statement - see "StressBustingExpert™ - Read Our 2023 Mission Statement" for further detail.
We describe the relative importance of maintaining a healthy StressManagementIndex™ alongside a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index) in our previous post entitled "Have an SMI™ (Stress Management Index™) to accompany your BMI"
For us, the key to using diet to help StressBust™ was to identify the food groups which contain vitamin C, fibre, antioxidants, zinc and magnesium, for a combination of these can massively help moderate cortisol and blood pressure levels, increase a brain chemical called serotonin which has a calming influence and assist in regulating any overflow of adrenaline.
Most such foods can very easily be integrated into our daily diets but because their StressBusting™ potential is not widely known, tend not to be as often as they ought.
Such foods (which are in the main no more expensive than others!) include the following:-
● raspberries, blueberries and blackberries
● oatmeals
● leafy greens
● fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel
● eggs
● cashew nuts
● dark chocolate
Another enjoyable StressBusting™ exercise we perform as a family is to talk about food we propose to enjoy, whether cooked at home, as a takeaway or in a restaurant beforehand, and we take turns to describe what we propose to have to eat to one another enthusiastically. This enables us to compare notes and helps us build up a healthy appetite for our meal ahead with a sense of excited anticipation - see our post entitled "Extend your Vocabulary to Stressbust™" for a description of the other benefits of such an exercise.
Additional posts relevant to the crucial matter of diet to StressBusting™ can be accessed by clicking on the various links below
"Variety may be the Spice of Life, but Moderation is the key to long term Wellness"
"Avoid the “All Inclusive Breakfast Buffet” approach to Stressbusting™"
"Top 10 Super Cost Effective Stressbusting™ Tips to Dietary Wellness that SAVED us money"
"Break Time Quickie - Keep Stressbusting™ Assets Visible"
NB Individuals should consult relevant professionals in advance before embarking on any wellness programme involving dietary or activity changes if they have any concerns as to suitability or suffer from pre-existing medical conditions - for further info, please see useful guidance contained our Legal Notices page.
Best wishes
HeadChefSantiago™🙃🤔😊💖🧡💛💙 xxxxx