Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. Read More
    • Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Read More
    • This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    Make gathering with loved ones a priority.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? We have you covered.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Pillows

    How to Wash Pillows

    They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    This buzzy ingredient is a star player in many new-age hair care products.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Food & Cooking
  3. 8 Foods to Add and 2 to Avoid to Help Beat Anxiety and Conquer Stress

8 Foods to Add and 2 to Avoid to Help Beat Anxiety and Conquer Stress

mike-nguyen.jpg
By Mike Nguyen March 10, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Pin
mbd105487_0310_cutveggies_065493v2exp1.jpg
What you eat and drink can contribute to or lessen the amount of anxiety and stress you experience. While eliminating stress entirely is not realistic, improving nutritional intake can help to bolster your diet — providing proper nutrients which are supportive to a healthier mood and a calmer outlook on life. Here are 8 foods you should add and 2 foods to avoid to help beat the anxiety and conquer stress.
Start Slideshow

1 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Stuffed Swiss Chard

swiss-chard-0306-mla101290.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

What you eat and drink can contribute to or lessen the anxiety and stress you experience. While eliminating stress entirely is not realistic, improving nutritional intake can help to bolster your diet -- providing proper nutrients which are supportive to a healthier mood and a calmer outlook on life. Here are 8 foods to add to your diet and 2 foods to avoid to help beat anxiety and conquer stress.

Swiss Chard

Feeling tense and on edge? Magnesium-rich foods like Swiss chard may be just what you need. Dark leafy greens are not only a rich source of disease-preventing antioxidants but they also contain ample doses of magnesium, the anti-stress mineral. A deficiency in this micronutrient is prevalent in cultures who rely on processed foods and lack adequate fresh foods in the daily diet. Magnesium plays a role in regulating normal heart contractions as well as promoting relaxing of muscles throughout the body.

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salmon

slow-roasted-salmon-filets--176-d112659.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Wild-caught fish and particularly salmon are packed full of the brain-supportive omega-3 fats, EPA, and DHA. It is necessary to attain these nourishing fats from the foods we eat because our bodies will not produce them otherwise. Anxiety and depression can be kept in check with adequate intake of wild salmon and other fatty fish which deliver these mood-boosting nutrients.

2 of 10

3 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Parsley

mbd106984_0411_cond_pesto.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This member of the carrot family is a nutritional powerhouse -- supplying many vitamins and minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients. Vitamin C, in particular, is plentiful in this chlorophyll-rich herb -- a favorite choice for those who juice. During times of stress and anxiety, vitamin C reserves in the body are used. Not only is this nutrient important for boosting immune health, but it quells inflammation. Chronically elevated stress hormones could potentially lead to chronic inflammation -- not a good thing.

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Turkey

turkey-chilli-beauty-119-d112203.jpg
Credit: Yuki Sugiura
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Turkey provides not only a good source of protein but also l-tryptophan, the precursor to serotonin and a "feel good" hormone, which promotes rejuvenating sleep while also staving off lulls in mood and/or anxiety.

4 of 10

5 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Yogurt

mbd105487_0310_cutveggies_065493v2exp1.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

More than ever there is evolving science showing a link between gut and brain health. The many types of healthy bacteria that dwell within our intestines may play more than just a role in regulating healthy elimination and immune function. These gut flora help send chemical messages to the brain, and particularly areas which control stress response and mood regulation. Ensuring a healthy intake of probiotics from fermented and cultured foods such as yogurt, will help to support this gut-brain connection.

5 of 10

6 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Broccoli

med102639_0107_broc_rice.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Did you know that this superfood contains more vitamin C than an orange? But why is vitamin C so important for mood and anxiety? The adrenals, responsible for stress hormone production house a storage site for vitamin C, and during times of intense stress and anxiety this nutrient helps to manufacture cortisol, a key stress hormone. There are some studies also showing vitamin C may help to keep blood pressure within a normal range.

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chamomile Tea

stress-soother-tea-0505-mba101266.jpg
Credit: Sang An
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Relax and unwind at night's end with a cup of this herbal favorite known for its calming and sedative-like properties. Some studies have found that compounds in this plant may have an anxiolytic effect, helping to relieve symptoms associated with anxiety. It is also known to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties helping to relax smooth muscles of the intestines and soothe episodes of stress-induced tummy aches.

7 of 10

8 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tulsi Tea

tulsi-holy-basil-gaia-0317

Also known as holy basil, tulsi is a plant prized for its many medicinal attributes in India. It is in a category of herbs classified as adaptogens, which help the body adapt to stress demands. Drinking this ancient herb in tea form can help to decrease stress hormones, uplift mood, and promote healthy sustained energy levels. Try the teas from Gaia or Organic India.

8 of 10

9 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ditch the Sugar

claire-thomas-bridal-shower-tea-food-strawberry-donuts-top-0814.jpg
Credit: Courtesy of Claire Thomas

Taking precaution to regulate your sugar intake is especially important if you suffer from anxiety and/or depression. Besides burdening the liver and contributing to unwanted fat stores, excess sugar consumption can increase the body's production of adrenaline and stress hormones which left unchecked can tax the adrenals and contribute to anxiety. Deluging your body with the sweet stuff wrecks your blood sugar and energy levels, surely affecting your mood and brain health as well.

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Avoid alcohol

Green Apple Martini
Credit: Quentin Bacon

While a cocktail at happy hour with friends can help take the edge off when you are overworked and highly stressed, overindulging can provoke anxiety symptoms while also depleting nutrients in the body that help to combat slumps in mood in the first place. Drinking can deplete magnesium and zinc, minerals which play a role in stress and immune function respectively, as well as certain B vitamins which promote sound brain and nerve functioning.

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Mike Nguyen

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 10 Stuffed Swiss Chard
    2 of 10 Salmon
    3 of 10 Parsley
    4 of 10 Turkey
    5 of 10 Yogurt
    6 of 10 Broccoli
    7 of 10 Chamomile Tea
    8 of 10 Tulsi Tea
    9 of 10 Ditch the Sugar
    10 of 10 Avoid alcohol

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    8 Foods to Add and 2 to Avoid to Help Beat Anxiety and Conquer Stress
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.