Speaking of healthy dinners, the other reality we have to negotiate with is the fact that our bodies are more prone to stress if they are unhealthy to start with. Luckily, nutrition is one of the easiest changes you can make to your life to reduce stress.
Fill your diet up with unprocessed fruits and vegetables, which have the added benefit of not taking much time to cook. The vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables stabilize our moods and help us remain resilient in the face of stress.
Consider adding more oily fish to your diet, such as salmon, pilchards or mackerel, as these will improve your general mental health immensely. Foods that ramp up stress and inflammation in the body include all refined carbohydrates like white wheat flour and white sugar.
Try to wean yourself off of coffee if you are indulging in more than two or three cups a day, and replace with chamomile tea. A heavy meal of macaroni and cheese for dinner may seem like a good idea if you’re stressed and overworked, but choose instead a meal of quality protein, healthy fats and lots of vegetables.