9 Foods That Reduce Stress

Reach for these items next time you're feeling under pressure, under the weather, or just too close to that breaking point. Munching on these stress-free foods will help pull you back into the game.

Oranges
A German study in Psychopharmacology found that vitamin C helps reduce stress and return blood pressure and cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. Vitamin C is also well known for boosting your immune system.


Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be particularly stress-reducing because they can satisfy the urge you get for carbohydrates and sweets when you are under a great deal of stress. They are packed full of beta-carotene and other vitamins, and the fiber helps your body to process the carbohydrates in a slow and steady manner.

Dried Apricots
Apricots are rich in magnesium, which is a stress-buster and a natural muscle relaxant as well.






Almonds, Pistachios, and Walnuts
Almonds are packed with B and E vitamins, which help boost your immune system, and walnuts and pistachios help lower blood pressure.



Turkey
Turkey contains an amino acid called L-tryptophan. This amino acid triggers the release of serotonin, which is a feel-good brain chemical. This is the reason why many people who eat turkey feel relaxed, or even tired, after eating it. L-tryptophan has a documented calming effect.

Spinach
A deficiency in magnesium can cause migraine headaches and a feeling of fatigue. One cup of spinach provides 40 percent of your daily needs for magnesium.

Salmon
Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease. A study from Diabetes & Metabolism found that omega-3s keep the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline from peaking.

Avocados
The monounsaturated fats and potassium in avocados help lower blood pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that one of the best ways to lower blood pressure is to consume enough potassium (avocados have more than bananas).

Green Vegetables
Broccoli, kale, and other dark green vegetables are powerhouses of vitamins that help replenish our bodies in times of stress.

More Stress-Busting Tips:

• Exercise regularly.
• Drink an energy shake for breakfast.
• Eat small meals throughout the day, which will keep your blood sugar stable (when blood sugar is low, mental, physical, and emotional energy decreases, and stress increases).

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The Best Resource to Be Set Free from Worry and Stress

Stress more often than not starts from worrying. If you are a chronic worrier, then chances are that you're under a certain amount of stress you may not even be aware of.

There are many self-help methods available to help reduce stress. These range from physical exercise, nutrition, optimistic attitude, meditation, etc. There is no shortage of literature on the subject of worry and stress, and that is good as it is very important to keep stress to a minimum.

However, the ultimate resource is the Bible. It contains the wisdom of God for you regarding all matters.

Do you know Him? If you do, and you know the Word of God, then let us consider what He has to say about worry and stress. His Word is the Truth. Therefore, if He says it, take Him at His Word and believe it, and then act on it.

Jesus Christ loves you so much that He gave his life for you so that you might have peace. He wants you to trust Him in everything, "Casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6,7)

He counsels you not to reason against God's Word for you. That means considering your problem over and over and finding excuses why you should feel bad about your situation. He wants you to "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5) In other words, in every situation consider His will for your life. Speak the Scriptures that pertain to your situation, and then ask His strength not to give in to negative, destructive thoughts.

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you." (Psalm 55:22) He knows everything about what you are going through, and He wants you to lay it all on Him. He has carried your worries and stress on the cross so you won't have to carry them any more.

Whenever you feel worried about all your inadequacies and shortcomings, remember that: "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me." (Psalm 138:8)

"Lay aside every weight - and run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith."(Hebrews 12:1,2) It is interesting to note that it is next to impossible to do something with patience when you are stressed! That's why it is so important to put your thoughts on Him and not on the weight of the problem at hand.

God cannot lie. Therefore, if He promises that He will see you through, then you can be assured that: "He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)

It is so wonderful to know that He can turn your mourning into joy (Jer. 31:13) and turn all things to good for those who love Him! (Rom. 8:28)

The secret is to focus on: "those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and deserving of praise." (Philippians 4:8)

Therefore, my friend, "Let not your heart be troubled." (John 14:1) and: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)

Say these verses every day as a prayer, and before you realize it you will discover: "The peace which passes all understanding."

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Getting Rid of Stress

Take part in regular breathing exercises. Avoid things and people that cause you stress. Keep away from people that you find are always getting on your nerves. Consider what your present thoughts and behavior is. Learn to control your mind so that you only think of good thoughts. You will find that loose quality thoughts don't help to build you up or take away your stress and fear. So you need to avoid letting your mind run all over the place and think whatever it wants. Make yourself think of things that will help. If a situation has nothing good about it then you need to use your mind in order to create some good things.

You also need to control your negative behavior. At least three times a week you need to exercise. Exercise will help to release your endorphins. These are chemicals within your brain that are released in order to lift your mood and give you a positive attitude. All you need to do in order to release endorphins is a twenty minute walk.

Make sure you control your emotions. Think in terms of your responsibilities and don't have a lot of emotions about it. Just simply carry out your responsibilities.

Make sure you have regular and adequate sleep. Focus on your time management skills and make schedules. If you are organized then you know what is important. You will waste time by paying attention to secondary things and this creates pressure on your ability to accomplish the primary things.

Always try to keep learning. As you pass time be sure to do something that helps distract you. A challenging game can truly help you keep your mind off stressful things and events. Try to meditate each day. Take the time to sit with your eyes closed and dwell on positive thoughts. Then you should speak aloud about the good thoughts you have.

Consider listening to some relaxing music. Classical music is very good for helping to relieve stress but it can also improve your memory retention. If you need to remember a lot of things then the facts prove the classical music while you study will help you to remember. You can also help yourself by making to do lists.

Also try to do something good for another person. This helps you to focus your concentration on someone else other than yourself. You should also learn to recognize if something is beyond your control. If you realize you can't fix a situation then you need to remember that worrying won't help. There are some things you just need to get over and put away from yourself.

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