It’s no secret that the current state of things has brought more stress into our lives. The uncertainty of it all, the potential risk of catching the virus, and the overall state of things really have a heavy impact on people’s overall mental well-being. However, while feeling stressed and experiencing anxiety is completely normal and understandable in times like these, giving in to stress is definitely not recommended. What you should do instead is find ways to relax a bit and take your mind off of things. And food, believe it or not, can be a great helper in such a scenario. That being said, here are some food-related tips that should help you improve your mood and lower stress during these difficult times.
Make sure you’re eating healthy
In stressful and difficult times, the first thing that seems to take a hit other than our mental health is our eating habits. Stress is already known to – most commonly – affect our appetites negatively, so this doesn’t really come as a surprise. But if you’re not eating properly you won’t only be at risk of gaining a few extra pounds. Instead, your mental health will suffer as well. That’s why you should ensure you’re eating healthy. Add some superfoods into the mix and enrich your regular meals even further. For instance, there are numerous benefits of adding algae to your regular diet. So, check them out and enjoy all the benefits of chlorella. Not only will you start feeling better mentally but you’ll also boost your immune system, which is quite important in times like these.
Plan your grocery trips in advance
Since social distancing should still be practiced very much, having to go to a grocery store daily doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. And if you add all the necessary preparations to the mix – gloves, mask, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, etc. – you can see how this could actually hurt your mental well-being even further. What you should do instead is plan your grocery trips in advance. Write down all the things you think you’ll need the following week and stock up on your favorite foods. This way you’ll minimize the necessity to leave your home more than you need to and you’ll have a far more organized grocery run. Review your list at the end of the week and make necessary tweaks the next time you need to hit the grocery store.
Try meal prepping
Additionally, since you’re already planning your grocery store run, why not plan your meals for the entire week? And while you’re there, why not also make them? Meal prepping can seem quite challenging for new and inexperienced cooks, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll notice just how much time-saving and stress-relieving it actually is. No more worrying and thinking about what you’ll have for lunch or dinner today – simply open your freezer, find the right container, throw it in the microwave, and enjoy your pre-made meal.
Don’t shy away from comfort food
Lastly, while eating healthy is good in general, eating comfort food is good for your soul. Of course, you should never over-indulge in comfort food, as comfort food is usually not very healthy. However, don’t avoid enjoying your favorite meal from time to time. Yes, it may not be the healthiest option but it will certainly boost your mood and lower your stress, at least for the time being.
These were just some food-related tips you should check out if you find yourself feeling stressed and overwhelming. The global pandemic is not something that should be taken lightly. However, you really shouldn’t allow yourself to stress too much about it either.
