Winter is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but the harsh weather and the pressures from work or school can cause tremendous stress during the holiday season. Don’t let winter bring you down! There are a few important vitamins that, when added into your diet, can reduce the effects of stress significantly.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential to fighting stress because it reduces the level of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is commonly known as “the stress hormone” because it releases energy in response to dangerous or stressful situations. Although at times cortisol can be beneficial, it also causes increased stress and anxiety. You can counter this stress by eating fruits rich in vitamin C such as oranges, cranberries, mangos, strawberries, and watermelon.
Vitamin B-1
Vitamin B-1, or thiamine, can help with stress because it improves body’s ability to respond to stressful situations and strengthens the immune system. Vitamin B-1 helps with the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is an important carrier of energy. It can be found in fortified cereals, bran, wheat germ, and pork.
Vitamin B-5
Nicknamed “the anti-stress vitamin,” vitamin B-5, or pantothenic acid, is essential to this list because it assists our bodies in the production of hormones that fight stress. Like vitamin C, it can also help lower levels of cortisol. Vitamin B-5 can be found in foods like mushrooms, trout, liver, bran, and sunflower seeds.