Here at Mantra Mask, one of our ways to deal with stress is to fuel our bodies with stress fighting foods… After all, food is medicine!

According to Webmd, “Foods can help tame stress in several ways. Comfort foods, like a bowl of warm oatmeal, boost levels of serotonin, a calming brain chemical. Other foods can cut levels of cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that take a toll on the body over time. A healthy diet can help counter the impact of stress by shoring up the immune system and lowering blood pressure.”

Here are the Mantra team’s TOP 5 stress-busting and mood-lifting foods, share yours in the comments!

1. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate has lots of tryptophan. Tryptophan is the precursor for serotonin (known as the “happy” chemical). It could very well reduce stress with it’s antioxidants and ability to increase serotonin levels. Don’t have to tell us twice! You haven’t really had dark chocolate until you’ve had See’s Dark Chocolate Bordeaux. You can’t be anything but happy eating one of those!

2. Bananas
Bananas have a mood-boosting chemical called dopamine, along with magnesium, levels of which plummet during stressful times. But also 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. Maybe that’s why monkey’s are so happy and silly? Regardless, bananas are one of the most perfect foods, and a favorite of ours!

3. Water
This makes so much sense. Who doesn’t feel irritable when they are dehydrated? Even mild dehydration can increase cortisol levels, which contributes to increased stress. Hydration is such a simple fix to so many of the small ailments in our bodies. Get yourself a cute water bottle and fill it up All.Day.Long!

4. Complex Carbs
Note: These are very different from simple carbs like potato chips – those make you feel not-so-great. Complex carbs increase that wonderful serotonin as well. They also help you feel balanced by stabilizing blood sugar levels. Our faves: old fashioned oatmeal and whole grain bread.

5. Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon, can prevent surges in stress hormones and may help protect against heart disease, depression, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Ok, sounds like a miracle food! It’s also good for your skin which is always a plus.

So friends, what could sound better right now than laying on your bed with some dark chocolate (and a Mantra Mask sheet mask of course)! Serotonin levels up and stress levels down just thinking about it.

Take care of yourself!

XOXO,
Mantra Mask