by Chef Kendall Huff
Native Foods Cafe
With our busy schedules and lives these day, it’s a little difficult to relax and remain stress free. Whether it’s work stress, emotional, financial, health or whatever, there always seems to be some form of it. Most of us like to push ourselves to the limit before realizing what that stress is doing, or has done to our bodies. This is where vacations usually come in. Once you get to that point of a well needed and well deserved vacation, you’re probably pretty exhausted... At least I usually am!
So before we get to that collapsing point in, lets try to squeeze in a little self relaxation if you will. First off, there are 10 really delicious and great foods that you can eat that will naturally cool your jets!
1- Nuts- These awesome travel snacks are high in mineral that will decrease anxiety and fatigue. Best nuts for this are almonds and Brazil Nuts!
2- Spinach (Chard too)- These dark leafy greens are full of magnesium, which keeps your nerves and muscles relaxed. Need an easy fix, try toasted pumpkin seeds and peppermint leaves in your drinks!
3- Herbs- The best body calming herbs are basil, lemon balm (pictured below) and chamomile, These will melt that stress away!
4- Dark Chocolate- For that sweet tooth, eat some tryptophan essential amino acid that will immediately relax that brain and give it some time off. Check out the Quinoa Dark Chocolate!
5- Oats “Natures Prozac”- Oats contain a high amount of starch! But the good kind! This type of starch won’t flood your system with sugar and make you crash! Instead, it will chill you out! You can also eat brown rice and legumes. They will have the same effect.
6- Rice and Soy Milk- Not only do these beverages relax the body, they also help you sleep! Warm glass before nap time?
7- Broc and Ban- When your stressed out and tired, your muscles begin to ache. They need potassium!! Bananas and Broccoli and smashed with that stuff!!
8- Green Tea- The amino acids in this tea reduce stress AND balance your mood by stimulating those brain waves!
9- Kiwi Fruit- This furry little fruit contains all the Vitamin C that your body will need for the entire day! Vitamin C gets that blood pumped to your brain. And easies the mind. Don’t like kiwi? Try papaya, guava, grapefruit or strawberries on for size.
10- Asparagus- This veggie is full of Folic acid (one of my favorites), which stabilizes the overall mood of your body.
What else can we do at home to ease our minds from negativity and stress? Here are ideas and easy to-do’s at home!
-Meditation, -Yoga & Tai Chi
-Massage- Try the aroma if you can. Add a Lemon Balm or Lavender scented candle.
-Hot bubble bath- Add dry lavender to your bath.
-Exercise!! It’s amazing how great to feel after 30 minutes of a cardio workout!
- SLEEP- THIS WORKS EVERYTIME
-Play with your pet! It’s not only relaxing for you, but your little buddy too.
-On a nice night, lay in the grass the look at the stars!
-Write it out... Start a journal, blog, poems or even song lyrics. Get that stress out in whatever form you can!
-Make a Pot Luck Dinner with friends and family. Surround yourself with good people in a positive atmosphere!
-Listen to some music. Whatever you like!
-Change those bed sheets and pillow covers. Snuggle in freshness!!
-Focus of the beauty in EVERYTHING!! Find it and embrace it!
-AND LAUGH!!!Best stress reliever ever!
Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, natural relaxation, relaxation tips, relaxation foods
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