Providing your body with the right vitamins and minerals is an essential and often overlooked step in reducing anxiety levels and supporting a healthy mind.
By adapting a nutritional approach to braincare, you will be able to face your day’s challenges with less stress and more confidence.
Start with these three vitamins and minerals that can help in reducing stress:
Magnesium
Magnesium is widely known for its essential role in muscle and nerve function. However, it is also known to be a common anti-anxiety mineral. Besides reducing stress and anxiety, magnesium also helps in reducing symptoms of depression.
Best food sources for magnesium
- Nuts (e.g. cashews and peanuts)
- Beans
- Whole grain brown rice
- Avocados
- Leafy green vegetables
B Vitamins
All B vitamins have an important role in reducing anxiety and stress as well as improving your overall mood. However, vitamin B12 is especially good for managing your mood. B12 also offers other benefits such as improving your ability to focus and retain information.
Best food sources for B Vitamins
- Shellfish (e.g. clams, mussels, crab)
- Fish (e.g. salmon)
- Lean poultry (e.g. chicken or turkey)
Vitamin C
Besides its immunity-boosting properties, vitamin C is also a brain booster and one of the best vitamins for stress and anxiety. For instance, chronic anxiety often leads to higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone). Vitamin C can help you in managing your body’s cortisol levels.
Best food sources for Vitamin C
- Citrus fruits (e.g. oranges and lemons)
- Tomatoes
- Leafy and colourful vegetables
