We all feel stress sometimes – a knot in your stomach, headaches, tense muscles, you get the picture.  No matter what you try to do it just doesn’t seem to take the stress away.  Here are a few healthful foods that can help lower your anxiety and its symptoms:

Dark Chocolate – my favorite – I have learned to like dark chocolate versus milk chocolate.  It is high in flavonoids, which are known for relaxing properties.  Phenethylamine is a chemical that enhances your mood, which is also in dark chocolate.  The darker the chocolate, the better.

Chamomile tea is an excellent choice for trying to relax – especially at bedtime.

Skim Milk – Women are half as likely to experience stress-related PMS symptoms if they drink 4 or more servings a day than those who drink 1 serving or less a day.

Oatmeal – Carbs help produce a calming hormone, serotonin, which helps fight anxiety.  Oatmeal is high in fiber so your body absorbs it slowly.  The serotonin boost will last longer keeping you feeling full longer.

Walnuts – Many studies have shown that walnuts lower blood pressure, which is very helpful for those whose hearts are working overtime already.

Salmon – Because it has omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can reverse stress symptoms by boosting serotonin.  It helps suppress production of anxiety hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

These are just a few.  Please share with us anything else that you find helps take the stress away.