Food for Thought (and Stress)

Would you believe that 75% – 90% of all doctor’s office visits are related to conditions caused by stress? We can’t always control the sources of stress in our lives, but we can change how we react to them. Let’s face it, our stress will never magically disappear, which is exactly why it’s more important than ever to find healthy ways to reduce stress. If you’re up against large amounts of stress in your life (and who isn’t?), studies show you can greatly benefit from carving out more time in your busy schedule for things that help relieve it.

Exercise

One of the best stress relievers available to us is exercise because it releases powerful chemicals in the brain, which act like the body’s built-in painkillers and mood-lifters. If you’re looking for a more impactful way to feel the benefits of exercise, do it while listening to uplifting music. Studies show us that listening to music positively impacts the psycho-biological stress system, helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, improves recovery time, and has benefits for hormonal balance and brain functioning overall.

Eating a Nutrient-Dense Diet

A steady supply of nutrients, such as essential vitamins, trace minerals, healthy fats, electrolytes, amino acids, and antioxidants help your brain better manage stress, which benefits your entire body.

Some of the best foods for natural stress relief include:

• Foods High in B Vitamins —dairy products, cage-free eggs, grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, poultry, brewer’s yeast, and green leafy vegetables.
• Calcium and Magnesium —unsweetened organic yogurt, wild-caught salmon, beans/legumes, leafy green veggies, cruciferous veggies (broccoli), avocados, and nuts.
• Protein  — foods with protein provide amino acids that are needed for proper neurotransmitter functions.
• Healthy Fats – nuts/seeds, avocado, olive oil and coconut oil, and cold water wild-caught fish, such as salmon or sardines, can reduce inflammation and help stabilize moods.

This is a preview of our Pinnacle Health Management Wellness Program toolkit. Employers can obtain our Wellness Program as an add-on, which includes quarterly wellness challenges, wellness toolkits and other educational resources, newsletters on popular health topics, and customized reports at the end of all wellness challenges. If you’d like more information, contact us at 866.930.7264 or at quotes@pinnaclehealthmanagement.com.