It’s that point of term again, deadlines are looming, the weather doesn’t seem to be getting any better, Easter egg hunts are just a bit too far away and every day the prospect of checking your bank account becomes more and more terrifying – it’s not surprising that we start to feel a bit down. Eating healthily is a great way to make yourself feel better but sometimes we need something with a bit more punch, luckily there is lots of food out there that is full of all sorts of minerals, anti-oxidants and vitamins that will give you that extra boost you need. So Her Campus has searched high and low to compile a list of 10 yummy foods that should help keep you calm calm, boost concentration and make you feel better all-round!
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1. Dark Chocolate
Not only is it absolutely delicious dark chocolate is high in magnesium which is said to calm muscles and reduce anxiety. It also improves blood flow to the brain providing an instant mood and concentration boost. If that wasn’t enough chocolate has a mild temporary stimulating effect owing to the emotional response it evokes (think velvety mouth-feel, decadent aroma, and all the good memories attached to it) as well as the bit of caffeine it has. Add to that its sugar content, which triggers the feel-good hormone serotonin, and the fat and phenyl ethylamine it contains, which lead to endorphin release – it’s the ultimate feel-good food.
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2. Milk
Long associated with being a soothing drink to have before bed milk has many mood-boosting benefits. It’s packed with calcium to calm muscles and helps keep blood pressure in check and the protein it contains, whey, has been shown to reduce anxiety and frustration.
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3. Spinach
This leafy green is stocked with folic acid, a B vitamin that has been found to boost your mood. It’s also an antioxidant that works to protect your brain cells from free radicals, which can lead to low energy and mood swings. A study in the Journal of Nutrition showed that people who consumed the least folate were a whopping 67 percent more likely to suffer from depression than those who took in the most.
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4. Asparagus
Also an excellent source of folate asparagus is another wonder food. It also contains high levels of tryptophan which is used by the brain to make serotonin to help stabilize mood.
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5. Nuts:
Pistachios
Pistachios contain fibre, antioxidants, and unsaturated fatty acids, all of which have been linked to lower blood pressure in studies. A handful is all you need to tame stress.
Almonds
Like little pellets of energy not only do almonds contain healthy fat and lots of fibre, but they’re also packed with magnesium, which helps to convert carbs, protein, and fat into energy.
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6. Greek Yoghurt
Not only is it indulgent and verstile Greek yoghurt is packed full of goodness, the probiotics it contains will help boost your mood and immune system. Furthermore it has more calcium than milk and more protein than regular yoghurt – this will help you feel fuller for longer and build muscle.
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7. Tea
Everyone knows green tea is a bit of a power drink, it’s full of theanine, an antioxidant which acts as a calming agent. But a regular cup of tea also contains some mood boosting effects – the caffeine it contains will make you more alert, and for many there’s just a lovely psychological boost gained from settling down with a hot mug of the stuff.
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8. Oatmeal
The main ingredient here is carbs, without them your brain can’t actually produce any serotonin – perhaps why many dieters get angry, tense and depressed far more easily. But it’s important to be careful about what carbs you’re taking in you want ones that are rich in fibre – like oatmeal or anything whole-wheat – otherwise they’ll be digested too quickly leaving you with a nasty emotional low.
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9. Fruit:
Avocado
Not only is its thick, creamy texture inherently luxurious but avocado is also high in monounsaturated fat and potassium, both of which help lower blood pressure. Monounsaturated fat also helps keep receptors in the brain sensitive to mood-boosting serotonin.
Pineapple
Pineapple, like all carbohydrates, breaks down quickly into sugar to give you an energy boost. But unlike simple carbs such as plain bagels or white rice, pineapples pack enough fibre — nearly 10 percent of your daily value (DV) — and other nutrients to slow down its digestion and prevent the dreaded post-carb crash.
What’s more, pineapple is a great source of the mineral manganese and the B-vitamin thiamin, both of which help your body convert calories into energy.
Berries
Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries contain anthocyanidins and anthocyanins—nutrients that help reduce stress and depression.
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10. Wine
A drink or two with your dinner has a multitude of benefits. It offers disease-fighting antioxidants and acts as a central nervous system depressant, relaxing and lowering blood pressure. Though too much nervous system depression can leave you feeling just plain depressed so overindulgence should be avoided.
Image Credits: gawker.com, listverse.com, pinterest.com, healthyliquor.com