Dark Chocolate The flavonoids in the cocoa help protect your cells. They're a type of antioxidant that may also help lower your blood pressure, boost the blood flow to your brain and heart, and make you less anxious.
Foods naturally rich in magnesium may, therefore, help a person to feel calmer. Examples include leafy greens, such as spinach and Swiss chard. Other sources include legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks have been linked to lowered anxiety.
Studies also show eating dark chocolate lowers the stress hormone levels in people who feel anxious and stressed. Other research found that eating an average-sized dark chocolate bar every day for 2 weeks can reduce stress hormones and fight-or-flight hormones in anxious people.
Researchers have found that chocolate contains a stimulant called phenethylamine (PEA). PEA also occurs naturally in the brain, and additional PEA consumption causes the brain to release dopamine and norepinephrine. Together, these three chemicals can trigger relaxation, elation and euphoria.
"Antioxidants present in dark chocolate can reduce stress by lowering levels of cortisol, as well as fight-or-flight hormones known as catecholamines." Go for dark chocolate, which has higher amounts of cocoa in it and thus greater amounts of those beneficial antioxidants.
Chocolate is a mood lifter, it reduces stress, anxiety and this fact is backed by experts all around the world.
The best stress-relieving drinks include ginger, chamomile tea, valerian, black tea, coconut water, milk, green tea, coffee, lemon balm tea, water, and vegetable and fruit juice. Aromatherapy is another self-soothing practice shown to have benefits for mental health. You can read more about it here.
Besides the homey warmth of this true comfort food, milk has loads of B vitamins that reduce anxiety and improve mood. For instance, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) raises serotonin levels to perk you up.
Theobromine is a stimulant responsible for the "buzz" you get after eating chocolate. Ramadan described this as a "buzz of energy, buzz of sharpness of mind, which will actually last for a while."
Another large study found people who drink five cups or more of water per day were at lower risk of depression and anxiety. In comparison, drinking less than two cups per day doubles the risk. This link was less noticeable for anxiety alone (although feelings of depression and anxiety often influence each other).
Vitamins B9 and B12 are both thought to treat symptoms of anxiety. Folic acid has many uses in the body, and B9 deficiency has been linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Typical anxiety can last for days, or at least until you've dealt with whatever is making you anxious, but anxiety disorders can persist for months or years without relief. Often, the only way to control anxiety is through professional treatment.
The B-vitamins in bananas, like folate and vitamin B6, are key to the production of serotonin, which can help improve your mood and reduce anxiety. For an extra stress-busting boost, top bananas with almond, peanut, or cashew butter.
Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour. That makes them very effective when taken during a panic attack or another overwhelming anxiety episode.
Recovery is possible with appropriate treatment such as exposure therapy, attention training, and a range of anxiety management techniques that can help you manage your symptoms.
Anxiety disorders are very treatable. Most patients who suffer from anxiety are able to reduce or eliminate symptoms after several (or fewer) months of psychotherapy, and many patients notice improvement after just a few sessions.
Dark chocolate has been shown to contain neurochemicals, such as serotonin, that have a psychoactive and euphoric effect on the mind. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation and cognitive function, so it's no surprise that chocolate can immediately boost your mood on a bad day.
Craving sugar, sweets, chocolate, and high calorie foods can be symptoms of anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and others.