Skip to main content

Change Your Diet to Reduce Stress: 3 Easy Dietary Tips for Women

April is Stress Awareness Month.  But strategies to reduce and manage stress are welcome any time of the year.  Studies show that women are more likely than men to report high levels of stress, and for African American women chronic or daily stress is even more problematic. 


While we tend to think of approaching stress management from an emotional wellbeing and physical health standpoint, we don't often associate making dietary changes with reducing stress and anxiety.  

While scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor and seeking help from a therapist or spiritual advisor may still be necessary to help address the underlying reasons for why you're feeling stressed and the degree to which your stress affects your life, here are a few food for thought tips from Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RDN, CDCES, CDN, nutrition consultant and author Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World


Swap your morning coffee with a cup of warm tea.  “The key to tea's ability to reduce stress is centered around its amino acid content. Both green and black tea contain L-theanine an amino acid that relaxes the mind yet it doesn’t make you feel drowsy. Enjoy 1-2 cups of tea each day as a nourishing way to distress.” 


Boost your morning smoothie with spinach and flax seeds. “Thanks to an abundance of magnesium, spinach helps to lower blood pressure and stress levels. Flax seeds are loaded with omega 3 fatty acids that stimulate the release of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a natural anti-depressant that helps regulate mood.”


Load up on whole grains for lunch. “Whole grains boost serotonin levels to help reduce afternoon mood swings. Whole grains found in bread and crackers are high in fiber, B vitamins, iron, magnesium and selenium. The fiber slows the digestion of carbohydrate which promotes a steady release of serotonin.”

 



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Conway Discount Clothing Chain Closing in New York City

It's the end of an era. Conway discount stores are closing . As of this weekend, a sign on the sole Herald Square location (34th Street btwn 7th and 8th Ave) says the store will close in "7 Days." Before I relocated to New York City, I was introduced to the discount chain while on a bus trip from Baltimore.  I recall the first time I saw Conway's signature pink bags carried by hurried shoppers in midtown. And Miss Foster, the trip organizer and a bargain hunter from way back, took me to the store for the first time. Conway store in the Fulton Mall./Tracy E. Hopkins When I moved here in 1994, my love affair with Conway continued.  I furnished my first apartment with discount knick-knacks and home goods from the store.  And much to my chagrin, in hindsight, I curated most of my wardrobe for my first full-time job from the long-shuttered 42nd Street and Third Avenue store. One regretful ensemble: Lime green and white checkered pants with a matching lime green

Soak Up the Last Weeks of Summer Sun At The Rockaway Hotel

Summer is winding down, but there's still time to soak up the sun -- while wearing sunscreen, chic shades and a protective hat or sun visor, of course. If you're in New York City, The Pool at The Rockaway Hotel + Spa  is a cool place to swim, lounge and discreetly people watch while swaying to beat of ambient music.  It's a vibe! Day passes are available for non-hotel guests Monday through Thursday (excluding private events, 10 am -7 pm).  Located in the heart of the Rockaway Beach community in Queens, New York, the Rockaway Hotel is just a few short blocks from the sand and surf. Besides the outdoor pool,  the  newly built 84,000 square foot hotel offers around 60 guest rooms, a restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a large event space. And it's a nice addition to the area.  When my husband and I visited the popular pool, we enjoyed yummy sips and bites poolside. Lounging chairs are first come, first serve so the early bird gets the spot of their choice. After chilling at t

4 Travel Essentials for a Clean and Safe Trip

Travel takes a lot more planning and preparation these days.  If you're like me, in addition to packing versatile and comfy clothing, accessories and footwear, and essential toiletries and beauty products, your travel checklist also includes several PPE options. KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and gloves. Check! To help you keep your PPE game on point, here are four new travel-sized sanitizing products that Everything She Wants recently discovered. Sanitizing Hand Wipe Mitts ($12.99 for a pack of ten) : Winter may be over, but here is a pair of mittens you might want to wear all year round. R eportedly the first wearable wipe that provides a protective liner between you and all surfaces you touch, this multi-use sanitizing mitt kills germs and 99.9% of bacteria on your hands. T his new mitt also reduces the number of wipes needed and makes it easy to keep hands safe and clean on the go – just think: no contact with hotel doorknobs, shopping carts, elevators, airport