Healthy eating to decrease stress
You can handle stress better when you are as healthy as possible, so eating nutritiously is a good defence against stress. The tips below focus on using nutrition to reduce the symptoms of stress. For more information about eating right, see the topic Healthy Eating.
- Avoid or limit caffeine. Coffee, tea, some soda pop, and chocolate contain caffeine. Caffeine causes you to feel "wound up," which can make stressful situations seem more intense. If you drink a lot of caffeine, reduce the amount gradually. Stopping use of caffeine suddenly can cause headaches and make it hard to concentrate.
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. If you are feeling very stressed, you might be turning to alcohol for relief more often than you realize. If you drink, limit yourself to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.
- Make mealtimes calm and relaxed. Try not to skip meals or eat on the run. Skipping meals can cause your blood sugar to drop, which will make other stress-related symptoms worse, such as headaches or stomach tension. Eating on the run can cause indigestion. Use mealtime to relax, enjoy the flavour of your meal, and reflect on your day.
- Avoid eating to relieve stress. Some people turn to food to comfort themselves when they are under stress. This can lead to overeating and guilt. If this is a problem for you, try to replace eating with other actions that relieve stress, such as taking a walk, playing with a pet, or taking a bath.
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis Douglas Dana | Last Updated: July 10, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Paul J. Rosch, MD Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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