How to Get Proper Stress Nutrition and Eat to Beat StressIt is important to get proper stress nutrition because nutrition and stress are connected. Are you the type that eats junk food and fast food when you are stressed? How does poor nutrition make my stress worse?Poor nutrition stresses your system from the inside which reduces your ability to cope with stress coming from the outside.Below are ways you may find yourself harming your body. All of these result in poor health and more stress because of the added calories, sugar, salt, and fat. Not drinking enough water - You need 8 glasses of water a day. You may not be getting all the water you need if you are stressed. When you’re thirsty you may even reach for soda or another unhealthy drink. Keep water near you at all times and sip it through-out the day. When you’re dehydrated your body shuts down and you feel sluggish and tired -- and of course more stressed! So make sure you get your water. Drinking too much coffee - When you are tired -- from being dehydrated, stressed, or overworked -- you tend to reach for coffee. You may even drink multiple cups a day. Coffee can increase the stress levels you feel by stimulating your whole body into overdrive. Ever feel the jitters? Your hands shake and your stomach is in knots from all that coffee? Caffeine can actually compound the affects of stress. Instead of drinking coffee try sipping on a hot cup of tea. You will still get a little caffeine to wake you and it is healthier for you. Studies have shown that green tea can actually increase your ability to cope with stress. Eating fast food or other bad foods – Do you find yourself stopping at the drive-thru or munching on chips when you are stressed? These foods are terrible for you. Cortisol -- the stress hormone -- can actually make you crave these things. These will cause you to gain weight and have many health problems only adding to the stress you feel. Plus they are completely void of any nutrition that your body needs to fight the stress you are feeling. Watch what you eat so you don’t find yourself stuck in this trap. Overeating or under eating – Make sure you get the appropriate amount of food each day. Overeating causes you to gain weight and have health problems. Undereating doesn’t let you get the right amount of nutrients you need to keep your body strong against stress. What is poor nutrition and stress going to do to me?Poor stress nutrition can result in an array of problems including:
Eating poorly has also been linked to heart disease and cancer, among other health problems. So not only does eating right improve your mood, your stress levels, and your health, it can also help prevent stress in the future. How do I improve my stress nutrition?You may be thinking that you are too busy and tired to change the way you eat. It is much easier to get something from the drive-thru or pop in a TV dinner you may be saying. Does the idea of cooking big meals cause you stress? Well not to worry, there are simple things you can do to change your eating habits that take no additional time. Some ways you can improve your stress nutrition are: Eat all meals - this includes breakfast, even if it is only a banana. Bring your lunch to work -- a pre-made salad with a healthy dressing or a sandwich. Learn to make quick and healthy dinners. Or plug in a crock-pot in the morning and your dinner will be ready when you get home.
When you are hurried and feeling stressed, do you find yourself eating fast food or hitting the vending machine at work? Fats, calories, sugars, and salt have a negative effect on your body and your ability to cope with stress -- often times creating more stress in the long run. By having good nutrition you can help your body cope with the affects of stress and you will feel better in general -- even when you are not stressed. Have An Easy Nutrition Tip? Share it!
Do you have a great tip about healthy eating? How about a favorite quick and healthy meal? Return from Stress Nutrition to Stress Causes Return from Stress Nutrition to Your Stressed Life Stress Relief home
|
