Recently, CNBC has claimed the area of Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater to be the most stressful in the country for 2012! Check out their countdown here: http://www.cnbc.com/id/46043926/Most_Stressful_Cities
To determine this, they studied percentages of divorce, unemployment, crime, suicides, and more in metropolitan areas around the country.
On top of that unsettling news about the area we live in, we also have college life to worry about, and final exams are almost here!
Sometimes we get so caught up in everything going on in our lives, we forget to eat properly. Stress can make us crave sweet and salty foods, but healthy foods are better for us and our stress in the long run.
Here are some healthy foods you should be eating through finals week and whenever you feel stressed:
Whole Grains: Complex carbs help your brain produce serotonin, a hormone that improves your mood. Carbs also stabilize blood sugar levels that stress raises, and provide energy that the body needs.
Spinach: The magnesium in spinach is necessary for health and energy. Not having enough magnesium can lead to headaches and fatigue. Don’t like spinach? Eat salmon, also high in magnesium.
Salmon: Besides being high in magnesium, salmon’s omega-3 fatty acids help with brain function, while also elevating your mood. It can also protect against heart disease and depression. Omega-3s are also found in nuts.
Broccoli: Folic acid found in broccoli is helpful for lowering stress.
Black Tea: Black tea has been proven to lower cortisol produced by the body. Cortisol is a hormone linked to high stress levels.
Bananas or avocados: Both of these are high in potassium, which is known to lower blood pressure.
Oranges: We’ve all heard that oranges are high in vitamin C, but you shouldn’t only be eating them when you’re sick. They are great for your immune system, but also reduce levels of stress hormones.
Of course, simple carbs, in the form of sugary snacks and soda, don’t have to be avoided completely! They are digested quickly, spiking serotonin levels and providing short term relief for stress. Just remember to limit your intake or it will hurt you in the long run.
There you have it, Her Campus USFSP’s picks for a healthy diet to fight stress! Keep these nutrient-rich foods in your kitchen to help deal with living in the most stressful area in the country!
(All information here was compiled from http://www.webmd.com/diet/slideshow-diet-for-stress-management, http://www.rd.com/slideshows/11-healthy-ways-to-destress-with-food/#slideshow=slide1, and http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/instant-de-stress-tips-7-foods-you-should-be-eating-right-now.html)
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