It’s no surprise that stress accelerates the aging process. Are there foods that help to combat aging and reduce our stress levels? So-called ‘comfort foods’ may not really be doing you any favors, especially since they are often high in fats and carbohydrates. When you feel stressed, your best choice is to feed your body the healthiest things you can find, because unhealthy foods will actually increase your stress level. Think about it. The last time you were stressed out, and you ate a whole box of chocolates, how did you feel afterwards? Less stressed? I doubt it! 

Natural foods are a good place to start. Avoiding anything with a label is a good rule of thumb. Yellow and orange fruits such as oranges and pineapple feed your chakras and can help you to more easily feel joy, confidence and self-worth. Natural herbal teas are warm and comforting, and can impart a wide variety of benefits, depending on the type of tea. Chamomile tea helps to calm your nervous system, while Rooibos tea varieties are high in antioxidants. Lemon Balm tea tends to lift your spirits and improve your concentration, while Rosehip tea is an excellent source of vitamin C. There is also something comforting about holding a mug of hot tea in your hand. There are other foods that help to reduce your stress level in natural ways, such as almonds, (rich in vitamin E); blueberries (high in anti-oxidants); coconut (high in natural anti-fungal compounds); spinach (rich in magnesium); nuts like pistachios (a good source of healthy fats); and avocadoes (high in potassium) are all better choices than candy or junk food.

High stress tends to rapidly accelerate our use of B vitamins in particular. If you’re looking for a way to supplement your food intake to better deal with stress, being on a good vitamin B-complex supplement that includes vitamin C and zinc is a great place to start.

The energy that you spend focusing on negativity and fear is directly proportional to your stress level. What many don’t realize is that this is something they have conscious control over. Stress is also caused by the subconscious; all those little nagging messages about unfinished business in the back of your mind that pop up at inopportune moments when you’re not in a position to act. Commitments that you have made and not kept, people that you have yet to forgive and looming deadlines are all sources of these stressful nagging messages. Possibly even more powerful than these are energetic imbalances such as trapped emotions – the remnants of trauma that have become stuck in the body, leading us to unconsciously choose certain feelings, thoughts and expectations. So what can you do to reduce stress in your own life?

1. Find peace through forgiveness. If there’s someone who has hurt you or wronged you in some way, and you haven’t forgiven them, your stress level will inevitably be greater than it should. The higher path of the spirit is to be at peace with the universe and with all our fellow beings. None of us are perfect and we all have reasons for acting the way we do. Strive for a state of acceptance and understanding of others, despite their negative behavior or difficult nature. And don’t forget to go easy on yourself too! How many times have you chastised yourself for making a poor decision, lashing out at others, being clumsy or running late for a meeting? Most mistakes we make won’t affect us in the long run. In fact, by recognizing the value in our own folly, we can learn some of life’s most valuable lessons! Learn to let things go and be generous and kind to yourself and others.
2. Make intelligent and balanced decisions. You are the pilot of your own course in life. When you find yourself automatically being guided toward the emotion of anger, for example, wait a few seconds and ask yourself if it would better serve you to change course! The ability to choose more positive emotions is something all of us have, but it’s like a muscle that needs regular exercise in order to serve us best. When you focus on flexing this muscle, you will learn better patience and your emotions will enhance your life instead of controlling it. This can also help you maintain healthy boundaries, with yourself and others. Make only the commitments you know you can keep without stressing yourself out. Learn when to say no when you’re uncomfortable. Respect your time, energy and resources. Take care of your physical needs by getting enough rest and proper fuel.
3. Try an energy psychology technique such as The Emotion Code or The Body Code. Using these techniques, you can release emotional baggage, help restore peace to your subconscious and correct physical imbalances too. This can lower your stress level by quickly getting straight to the underlying causes of negative emotional choices and nagging, negative thoughts. Removing these underlying causes of stress will also help your physical body to heal and function optimally, providing you with more energy to fulfill your commitments, meet your deadlines and create a state of acceptance and forgiveness on a daily basis. The Emotion Code and The Body Code are easy to use and effectively achieve lasting results in balancing the mind, body and spirit!