Relieve Stress In 6 Steps and 1 Dessert

Don’t let STRESSED be DESSERTS Spelled Backwards! 

Stress can cause you to make unhealthy food choices, but healthy eating is a key lifestyle ingredient to help manage your stress.

We have to break the cycle!!

There are essential life “ingredients” as well as some simple food ingredients you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help you reduce the stress in your life.  Food helps, but since everything is connected, it’s only part of the recipe.

Six Stress Reducing Life Ingredients:

1. Sleep: Recommended serving: 7-8+ hours each night.  Sleep is an essential stress reducing ingredient as it’s your body’s key time to rest, repair, and detoxify. Your body performs at its optimum level when you honor it with sleep.

2. Hydration.Recommended serving: 8+ cups of pure water daily.  Hydration is important for keeping your body alert and energized.  Your body is mostly made up of water, giving it the proper ingredient it needs to function will reduce your stress levels and help you feel more grounded.

3. Whole Natural Foods.  Recommended serving: A daily variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains and healthy fats.  Whole, unprocessed, fresh cut fruits and vegetables are high in natural energy and give your body the nourishment it needs to stay balanced and fight off stress.

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Some of my favorite stress balancing foods are:

• Dark leafy greens which are rich in micronutrients, including folate.
• Wild caught Alaskan salmon which is high in healthy Omega 3 fats.
• Berries which are high in antioxidants and vitamin C.
• Dark Chocolate which is rich in flavanols.
• Avocados which are high in nutrients, healthy fats and fiber.

4. Chew Your Food.  Recommended serving: Chew your food at least 25-50+ times or until almost liquefied.  Chewing helps with digestion, conserves your overall energy and helps you slow down while you are eating.  Most people eat too fast when they are stressed, which is not beneficial to properly digesting your food or relaxation.

5. Breathing.  Recommended serving: Deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat all day.  “Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.” -Andrew Weil, M.D.

6. Exercise.  Recommended serving: At least 30 minutes/daily. Exercise pumps up your endorphins, enhances your mood, improves your cardiovascular system and helps you relieve stress or respond to stress in a calmer way.

Don’t forget dessert!!

Here is my favorite simple Dark Chocolate Stress Smoothing Dessert recipe that can start or end your day in a healthy and balanced way.

How do you relieve stress? Let us know your tricks in the comments below.