While a lot of things have changed over the past few months, some things stay the same; one of these is the presence of STRESS. Can I get an amen? 🙌 Maybe you’re working from home, and although you get the benefit of skipping the trek to the office, you are still worried about deadlines, projects and even the possibility of job loss. Maybe you’re stressed because you have no idea what to do with all your kids being home (how long is it acceptable to stick ‘em in front of the TV?). It could be your marriage, friendships, ambitions, etc. Stress has a sneaky way of weaving itself into almost anything! Here’s a question that may be running through your mind – can good nutrition decrease stress levels?

How stress plays out in your body

Let me give you a quick description of how stress plays out in your body. Glands on your kidneys produce hormones during stress. These hormones are adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline can be a good thing; that “rush” can push us positively to do hard things. However, under extreme stress, your body will continue producing these hormones and be on full alert, not giving your body a chance to take a break and resulting in exhaustion. Your blood sugar, blood pressure, and pulse will also be increased for much longer than is good for you. 

Nutrition’s role in stress

What if I told you that nutrition can play a HUGE role in reducing stress within your body? You may not have control over your external circumstances, but you have the ability to control how you nourish yourself! Here are a few simple ways to do that:

1. Reduce caffeine!!

I know I sound crazy asking you to think twice about that next cup of coffee, but hear me out! Although caffeine is great for short bursts of energy, it can trigger your stress hormones and lead to increased anxiety or irritability. The FDA recommends 3 to 4 cups as the safe amount of coffee to drink; however, you have the power to listen to what your body is telling you. If you feel more anxious or irritable after a cup of coffee, consider trying something else to help give you energy! 

Also, if the feeling of warmness and comfort of a hot beverage draws you in, maybe it has nothing to do with the caffeine aspect! Try decaffeinated coffee or tea.  

      2. Eat regularly-scheduled meals and snacks throughout your day.

It’s easy when stress comes to reach for something comforting to eat; however, stress-induced snacking more often tends to be geared towards sugar or simple carbohydrates (like chips). Make a plan of action! Prepare your meals the night before so you have something good to reach for in addition to laying out snacks like a piece of fruit or a granola bar. 

        3. Don’t skip out on omega 3s!

Seafood, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids; they help reduce inflammation and release of stress hormones. Incorporating these things into your daily meals is a great idea to fight against elevated stress levels. Enjoy a leafy greens salad as a side or cook a delicious salmon fillet – STRIVE to make omega 3s a part of your day! If you have trouble getting enough omega 3s from your diet, supplements exist that can give you the boost you need! Fullscript* provides professional grade supplements. (*Fullscript is an affiliate program that provides me a monetary benefit when you order at no extra cost to you. Thanks!)

Good nutrition can decrease stress levels – these are just a few ways you can set yourself up for success and reduce your stress! Listen – I know it’s hard. Fighting the creeping feelings of stress is easier said than done, and it’s a battle most of us have to fight every single day. BUT, know this – I believe in you, I am in your corner, and I know that you are capable of great things.