Guest Post By Andrea Moss, www.mosswellness.com

1) Hot water: Excellent for settling a stressed or queasy stomach, and for relaxing and cleansing the body by stimulating our intestines and helping move waste out of our body. A simple, magical remedy which works despite its simplicity.

2) Blueberries: These berries are jam-packed with antioxidants, high in fiber and vitamin C, which help your body through the strain of stress. Blueberries’ high amounts of fiber  can help relieve the stomach cramps and constipation that can occur in times of stress. Throw them into smoothies or on top of oatmeal, or eat them on their own as a delicious and healthy snack or dessert.

Organic Vegetables3) Cashews: These nuts are nature’s natural Prozac! Cashews contain relaxing magnesium and tryptophan to help you feel more chilled out.  Cashews can also help you build resistance to colds and flu by supplying a healthy dose of your daily zinc needs, which helps to boost your immune system (which can falter in times of stress).

4) Almonds: A good source of Vitamins B2 and E, their high antioxidant content aids in flushing those toxins that put more stress on your body. Almonds also have magical magnesium, which helps regulate mood and relieve stress. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps destroy the free radicals related to stress and heart disease.

5) Fatty Fish: Wild salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, and kippers are high in Vitamins B6 and B12 which help support stress-tolerance in the body. Fatty fish also contains high levels of omega 3 fatty acids which are known to benefit the heart and protect it from stress-induced diseases. Fatty acids also help in regulating mood health and brain health.  Aim to eat several servings of fatty fish per week.

6) Broccoli: This veggie is chock-full of folate, which helps boost the body’s response to anxiety, panic, and even depression. Other folic acid-rich foods are beans and greens.

7) Whole Grains: Complex carbohydrates boost serotonin levels, and thus have a calming, soothing effect on our body. Whole grains are digested more slowly and will keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time. Go for brown rice, steel-cut oatmeal, quinoa, and millet.

8) Selenium-rich foods: Selenium is a mineral that acts like an antioxidant in the body, combating the presence of oxidative stress in the brain (which is associated with some cases of mild to moderate depression). Good sources of selenium: beans, nuts and seeds (especially Brazil nuts — 2 a day fills your selenium needs!), seafood (oysters, clams, crab, sardines, and fish), and mushrooms.

9) Drink Tea: A Japanese study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that levels of psychological stress were 20 percent lower in people who drank at least five cups of green tea per day (compared to those who drank less than one cup per day). Be careful of caffeine levels though!

10) Dark  Chocolate: Small amounts of dark chocolate can be a physical upper. Dark chocolate affects our levels of brain endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that our bodies produce. Chocolate can lower levels of blood pressure and lower rates of heart disease. Not all chocolate is created equal! Go for 70% plus cocoa content, and buy organic whenever possible.

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andrea_moss_smAbout Andrea

Andrea Moss is a Certified Health & Nutrition Counselor accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She works with her clients to help them reach their ideal weight, increase their energy, reduce stress, and feel confident about what to eat. It is her mission to empower and inspire her clients to create extraordinary lives for themselves by teaching them to build their own intuition about nutrition. Learn more at www.mosswellness.com[/boxibt]

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Food And Mood: Top Ten Natural Stress Relievers
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