Here's how to bust your stress

The rigours of daily life can sap energy and increase stress levels. Diet has a big role to play in reducing and managing stress. But a few simple changes in diet can help you fight back.

Diet has a big role to play in reducing and managing stress. here’re simple ways to equip yourself better to fight stress:

1. Say no to caffeine and alcohol: They stimulate the secretion of adrenaline, the hormone that is naturally released by the body in stressful or exhilarating situations. The result is nervousness, insomnia and irritability.

2. Eat Vitamin B and Vitamin C-rich foods: All complex B-vitamins work to boost the body’s immune system and produce energy. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is especially important as it activates the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that help us deal with stress. Vitamin C boosts the immune system and helps the body bounce back faster from stressful situations faster.

3. Have lots of Carbohydrates and whole grains: Being cheerful and calm is the first step in beating stress. Carbohydrates and whole grains help in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that creates a soothing effect and increases a person’s sense of well-being. Just a cup of rice a day, for example, is thought to be sufficient for countering everyday stress.

4. Increase Magnesium intake: If Vitamin B5 is the anti-stress vitamin, magnesium is the anti-stress mineral. Did you know that most stress-related diseases high blood pressure and heart attacks run hand-in-hand with magnesium deficiency? That’s because the mineral helps to boost the body’s energy level and counters the effects of stress at a chemical level. Low levels of magnesium mean a reduced ability to cope with stress.