36 yr old me competing in my 1st Bodybuilding contest
“Food is Fuel and Food Is Medicine '' When I competed in Bodybuilding one of the greatest benefits was learning how to use food to manipulate the way my body looked on stage. At 23 I was diagnosed with severe asthma. It would result in me being hospitalized up to 4 times a year. During the time I was bodybuilding and eating clean and healthy I noticed there were less Asthma flare ups and hospitalizations.
Well, I can tell you I put this theory through many tests, by going back to unhealthy eating several times over these years. End result of my not so clinical research, my asthma was greatly controlled when I was eating a healthy diet, and not only was my health improved, so was my mental health. I was happier and less stressed, got more done in a day and just felt overall improvement in my health.
Food can truly improve the quality of your life and decrease your stress. This month’s theme is JOY. One way we can decrease our Stress and increase our joy is by taking a look at the foods and beverages we put in our bodies.
Here are a few foods that you can add to your daily diet to improve stress:
Avocados-Avocados contain higher levels of vitamin E, folate, and beta-carotene than any other fruit, which boosts their stress-busting properties.
Blueberries-Blueberries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants, especially antho-cyanin, which means that this berry has been linked to a wide range of health benefits including sharper cognition, better focus, and a clearer mind – all of which can help you to better deal with stress.
Chamomile-What you’re drinking may also influence your stress level. Chamomile tea has long been used as a natural bedtime soother, and it has also been used in clinical trials, which determined that chamomile tea is effective in reducing the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
If you’re feeling more stressed out lately and that stress is stealing your Joy for life, take a look at what you are eating and drinking. Consider making some small changes in your lifestyle by adding in a few stress relieving foods and movement into you daily health activities.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose
Keep Reaching for your Sweetest Life,
Stephanie J