The way our lives have become crazy these days, we suffer from multiple anxieties on a daily basis.  We bring you a list of some foods that can help you de-stress. Sugary foods decrease levels of anxiety-producing hormones. Just a little sugar on the tongue is enough to produce a feel-good effect, so there is no need to overdo it. Read on to find out how you can help maintain a more balanced approach towards life:

Mushrooms: For thousands of years mushrooms have been used to restore balance thanks to their calming and centering qualities. They are also packed with anti-cancer compounds – studies show shiitake mushroom can help prevent cervical cancer and help liver cancer patients live longer.

A snack of nuts: Nuts are packed with magnesium, which helps keep cortisol levels low. Nuts are high in calories, so if you are watching your weight, do not to eat more than a dozen a day.

Broccoli with any low-fat dip: Broccoli has folic acid, which aids stress reduction. Tastes yummy too, with a dip.

Savoury Salmon: Omega-3 fatty acids help brain cells to function more collaboratively, hence helping you deal with stress more effectively.

Dark chocolate: By far the most potent endorphin-producing food on earth, chocolate contains more than 300 different compounds, including Aanandamide, a chemical that mimics marijuana’s effects on the brain, and The obromine, a mild stimulant. Look for imported dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or more.

Whole grain muffin with jam or honey: Complex carbohydrate-rich foods raise serotonin levels, boosting your mood and helping you relax.

Black tea: Switch to black tea instead of coffee. A study by University College London shows that drinking black tea four times a day for six weeks lowered the stress hormone cortisol after a stressful event.

Green Tea: Green tea is packed with theanine, which increases the brain’s output of relaxation inducing alpha waves and reduces the output of tension, making beta waves.

Hot cocoa: Warm drinks raise your body temperature- they give a feeling which we associate with comfort, so it triggers a similar response in our brains.

A glass of milk: It contains tryptophan, which as it is metabolized is converted to mood-boosting serotonin. Plus, its calcium, magnesium and potassium content may help keep blood pressure down.