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These three tasty foods will help you get on with your day free of stress and stomach pain.

A few months ago, a new scientific paper discussing a link between mental stress and digestive trouble crossed my desk. I was immediately intrigued—partly because at the time I was stressed (it was during the holiday season, work was busy and my husband was traveling a lot on business), but also because at one time or another everyone feels taxed. This was information I knew you, our reader, could use!

And sure enough, once word got out among our staff, the whole office was buzzing: How does stress affect my gastrointestinal tract? And because I’m the nutrition editor, I was also asked, are there any soothing foods that I can eat?

Read more: Is stress causing your stomach ache? 3 fixes that may help you feel better

You’re stressed, I’m stressed and we really don’t have time or money to spend a day wrapped in seaweed at the spa. But dealing with stress is important — we look better, feel better and work better when we manage it. So here are 10 ways to chill out in a pinch.

1. Have a cuppa
Curling up on a couch with a cup of tea and a cookie feels luxurious, but studies have shown that black tea also helps reduce stress. Try flavoured versions such as cassis or cherry vanilla, which are lovely with a teaspoon of honey.

4. Eat!
Foods that are high in fibre, vitamin B, C and E are said to play a role in reducing stress. Put fish, almonds, fresh fruit, yogurt, veggies (carrots, tomatoes and leafy greens in particular) and skimmed milk on the shopping list.

Read more: Ten quick fixes for stress

By Oz Garcia, Ph.D

Chew on this…

Reach for these items next time you’re feeling under pressure, under the weather, or just too close to that breaking point. Munching on these stress-free foods will help pull you back into the game.

Oranges
A German study in Psychopharmacology found that vitamin C helps reduce stress and return blood pressure and cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. Vitamin C is also well-known for boosting your immune system.

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be particularly stress-reducing because they can satisfy the urge you get for carbohydrates and sweets when you are under a great deal of stress. They are packed full of beta-carotene and other vitamins, and the fiber helps your body to process the carbohydrates in a slow and steady manner.

Dried Apricots
Apricots are rich in magnesium, which is a stress-buster and a natural muscle relaxant as well.

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