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March and April are crazy months right?

The financial year ends, everybody is scrambling at work to meet their targets, show their best work, work overtime to be able to show HR and the boss that they are deserving of the raise in April.

This ofcourse causes a LOT of stress and anxiety and it permeates into every aspect of our lives, be it personal or professional.

To top it all of, this COVID19 global health crisis has us on the edge all the time.

The economy is crashing, we are all working from  home, we don’t know when this ends..

It’s a very trying time, indeed.

There is a lot of information out there but you must sift the chaff from the grain to stay calm.

‍How then, do we manage stress and anxiety in these trying times?

‍BananaYes. We’re not kidding. In this season where everyone is going bananas, try a banana to actually calm yourself down!

Here’s how it works as an anxiety buster.

Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood, and generally make you feel happier.

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in sodium, making it perfect to help manage high blood pressure.

Sometimes anxiety is also induced when you’re suffering from hyperacidity and heartburn.

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body.

When suffering from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

High in fiber, bananas can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem naturally without the use of laxatives.

‍Ashwagandha

‍Ashwagandha is perhaps best known for its ability to reduce stress.

Researches have reported that  it blocks the stress pathway regulating chemical signaling in the nervous system in people with stress and anxiety disorders.

It is a great addition to your daily diet as it induces sleep and cures insomnia and insomnia related anxiety.

Having ashwagandha tea before bed is quite beneficial. Ashwagandha is also a cortisol reductor.

Cortisol is known as a stress hormone given that your adrenal glands release it in response to stress, as well as when your blood sugar levels get too low.

You can buy ashwagandha tablets online and have them as directed by your nutritionist and doctor.

‍Yogurt

‍Yogurt is a great stress reliever.

Often our anxieties are also alleviated by hunger pangs and like we said earlier due to gastric distress.

Yogurt is a great way to feel less bloated, calm down the gastric distress and feel less stressed.

You can have it in the form of Greek yogurt or you can make a glass of chaach and have as a mid morning or mid afternoon snack-drink.

Add some mint and dhaniya for kick of cooling properties and sit back to relax. ‍

Kesar‍

Kesar or saffron, is a delightfully fragrant herb that is amazing for our dishes.

The lovely saffron colour jazzes up the beauty of the dishes we serve and enhances the flavours.

But did you know kesar is also a very good stress slasher?

Kesar has been traditionally used as a calmative, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory.

This beautiful herb also imparts the gastrointestinal advantage of relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract to reduce spasms and help digest food, as well as being an appetite enhancer.

Kesar has high amounts of anti-oxidative carotenoids (including the main antioxidant crocin, a carotenoid which gives it its burnt orange color) and B vitamins.

It is believed that kesar changes the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain.

Also, the antioxidants in kesar are thought to help clean up free radicals in the body, to help brain cells from oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is known to be a problem in people with mood issues.

You can cook with kesar or add kesar to your almond milk or regular cold milk. But if you really want to use kesar as an anti anxiety medicine, please don’t self medicate.

Speak to your doctor and ayurvedic practitioner, your nutritionist and naturopath about the dosage.

‍

‍Watermelon

‍Watermelon is the fruit of choice for people who are looking to relieve stress.

 It contains high amounts of vitamin B6, which is used by the body to produce the brain chemicals that relieve stress, anxiety and panic attacks, watermelon is the best fruit of choice for relieving stress.

The wonder fruit naturally relaxes blood vessels without the side effects of drugs.

You can try our Watermelon Gazpacho recipe on Instagram to cool off with a very delicious super hydrating cold soup guaranteed to rejuvenate your senses and lift up your spirits.

Don't pop pills to take care of your anxiety.

Stay nourished, stay healthy and eat clean.

Once you know that food can heal you in more ways than one, you’ll never go back to medicines unnecessarily.

Cheers,

Lovneet