There is more to quelling stress than yoga and meditation.
In fact, eating the right foods can help keep you calm too.
Here are three of our favorite soothing foods.
First up, chocolate.
Research found that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help keep you
calm.
It seems as though the flavonoids in this sweet treat work to lower stress hormones.
And this is especially true for folks with high anxiety.
Don't go overboard, though.
In the study, just 1.4 ounces of chocolate was enough to do the trick.
Second, try oatmeal.
Oatmeal is a whole grain.
Healthy carbs like this spur the release of the brain chemical serotonin, which has a
mood-boosting effect.
Add oatmeal and other whole grains like quinoa and brown rice to your diet to help reduce
stress.
Finally, sweet red peppers are full of vitamin C, which may help clear the stress hormone
cortisol from the blood.
In one study, people who consumed high doses of vitamin C before tackling stress-inducing
activities had lower blood pressure, and recovered faster from the cortisol surge.
Of course, stress can sometimes cause us to overeat.
So reach for all foods, including these, in moderation.