Cuddles, kisses, storytime, napping together in the afternoon-motherhood is so relaxing. Not! The truth is, it can cause us to be rushed (We're going to be late for school!), unorganized (Where's your backpack?) and stressed (I was supposed to bring homemade cupcakes TODAY?).
Calm down, eating the right foods can help to reduce stress and counteract those challenging days of motherhood. Stress overload affects the mind, body and behavior in many ways. Prolonged stress overload can lead to memory problems, a poor immune system and cause aches and pains, high blood pressure, constipation and irritability-all of which are counterproductive to motherhood. Try these foods to stay mellow and to counteract the effects of stress on your body (and your kids!).
• Milk - Mom was right! Drinking warm milk can help with insomnia. Studies also show that calcium can reduce muscle spasms and soothe tension. You can gain the stress-busting effects by drinking at least one eight oz. glass of skim or low-fat milk a day.
• Almonds, Pistachios and Walnuts - There's nothing like a little crunch to tackle stress. These nuts are also loaded with vitamin E, an antioxidant that bolsters the immune system, and B vitamins, which help clear your mind. Grab a handful or try an almond butter sandwich... yum! Kids love 'em too.
• Blueberries - Packed with vitamin C, this magical fruit helps reduce both the physical and psychological effects of stress. Plus they are bursting with antioxidants to help your body repair the effects of stress.
• Spinach - Added to smoothies, sautéed or as a salad, spinach is the perfect stress buster. That's because it contains magnesium that prevents blood pressure from spiking. Three cups of spinach has 40 percent of your daily magnesium. Make a fresh spinach salad tossed with walnuts and blueberries on those super stressful days.
• Eggs - Research from Cornell University indicates pregnant women under stress who eat foods rich in the nutrient cholin (eggs) may protect their babies from excess stress hormones and reduce their children's risk for developing stress-related diseases later in life. Not pregnant? You can still benefit from the B vitamins in eggs that help promote healthy brain cells, yielding you with better problem-solving skills and less stress. Try one whole egg daily.
Other ways to reduce stress include meditation, deep breathing and adequate sleep. Remember, you are a model for your children and how you handle stress can affect them not only in the present, but how they handle it in the future as well.
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