Abigails Herbs

Sipping two cups of sage tea daily helps people feel at least 11% calmer, even during periods of high stress, research studies show. This nutrient-rich herb slows the breakdown of acetylcholine – a  key brain chemical that improves mood and eases anxiety, Stanford researchers explain.

If you find the sage tea to have a bitter, taste, just add honey or your favorite sweetener. Also, eating 3 ounces of protein at breakfast and at lunch can nix stress flare-ups in as little as 10 days, research suggests. Protein-packed meals prevent anxiety-triggering blood-sugar lows, plus they boost production of norepinephrine, a hormone that helps the brain cope with external stressors.

Eating pretzels can also prevent that oh-so-common pounding heart and anxiety surge. Research shows that a short-term rise in sodium dampens production of a powerful anxiety-triggering stress hormone, explains Eric Krause, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacodynamics at the University of Florida. So, eating a salty snack, such as pretzels or salty peanuts immediately before a high-stress event can prevent that oh-so-common pounding heart and anxiety surge.

Listen to this news; brand-new research shows you can dial down stress – and feel truly calm, cool and collected- in as little as five minutes, simply by pretending to be relaxed. Focus on taking slow, deep belly breaths, relaxing your shoulders and speaking in a soothing voice, suggests John Garrison, Ph.D., director of Lahey Clinic’s Stress Management Program.