Health: Foods that soothe and calm nerves

If you're feeling stressed, take heart: what you eat and smell may help you de-
stress. The part of the brain that processes odours is very close to the part
that houses emotions and memories. So, when you sniff something you like,
you tend to breathe more deeply, your blood pressure lowers and your heart
rate slows – all of which relax you. Eating some foods may help relax you,
too. So, arm yourself with these soothing scents and tasty foods to cope when
you are stressed.
Sniff an apple: If you like the smell of green apples, embracing their aroma
may help alleviate headaches. In one small study, people with chronic
migraines reported some pain relief after inhaling green-apple fragrance at the
start of a headache.
Sip on tea: Drinking caffeinated black, green or oolong tea varieties may elicit
a more alert state of mind. Researchers think theanine – an amino acid
present in these tea varieties – may work synergistically with caffeine to
improve attention and focus. Drink five to six cups of tea daily.
Cut into a coconut: When you're stressed, the scent of coconut may blunt your
natural 'fight or flight' response, slowing your heart rate. People who breathed
in coconut fragrance in a small pilot study at Columbia University saw their
blood pressure recover more quickly after a challenging task. The researchers
speculate that inhaling a pleasant scent enhances alertness while soothing our
response to stress.
Nibble on chocolate: Recent research shows eating dark chocolate can help
reduce levels of cortisol and catecholamines – hormones associated with
stress – especially for those with high anxiety. Go easy, though: chocolate is
calorically dense: eating too much can pack on the pounds and that can lead
to more stress.