Learn about the best and worst drinks for stress relief, and how to choose the right beverages to calm your mind and body. Stress is a common phenomenon in this highly competitive world; however, it is imperative for one to find ways to manage them because its effect is deleterious to both physiological and psychological. It is worth noting that it is possible to manage stress by selecting appropriate drinks as there are certainly beverages that will help mitigate stress. Most beverages can either relieve tension or worsen anxiety, but in this article, we discuss some drinks that can alleviate stress and keep one calm.
Best Beverages for Stress Relief
1. Water
Drinking water is believed to relieve stress for many people. Sufficient consumption of water, eight liter a day, is also essential for both mental and physical health. It has a deeper implication in regards to averting extreme stress as it seems to keep the hormone cortisol, associated with stressors, in check. A dehydration might lead to the imbalance of hormones and further be a major factor in augmenting stress. A journal on the relationship between nutrition and brain performance by Lustig et al., it is discovered that dehydration is bad for the brain and has negative effects on mood making it an uphill task to battle stress.
2. Herbal Tea
Herbal teas like chamomile, lavender, and peppermint offer relief against stress. These drinks do not contain caffeine and thus are low tension boosting drinks. The relieving scent from these teas also helps with stress levels and studies including one published in the American Journal of Medicine have shown that herbal tea can help alleviate anxiety and increase the quality of sleep.
3. Milk
Milk acts as a strong source of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter known to have calming properties. People who anticipate a busy day will benefit if they take a glass of milk before going to bed; they will be stress free as well as more content and sleep better. Works such as the one published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition can now be included in this discussion since it has touched on the role of milk in controlling stress levels and enhancing mental wellbeing.
4. Smoothies
Nutrients present in smoothies relieve stress by providing a high dose of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Ingredients including berries, bananas, and even spinach include nutrients that help in mood balance and support to the nervous system. You can also do smoothies as part of your healthy diet and get stress relief without feeling tired. Stress management is an important topic in psychology and a study published by Frontiers in Psychology highlights the role of smoothies in such management.
5. Coconut Water
More popularly known as spa water, coconut water is suitable for hydration, and even more. Potassium and antioxidant-rich coconut water can be instrumental in minimizing stress and cognitive processes. Several studies including one published in the Journal of Human Nutrition, and Dietetics find it vital for stress management and body sustenance as far as volume is concerned.
Worst Drinks for Stress Relief
1. Alcohol
Yes, alcohol can make you relax and temporarily forget your worries, but this is only the beginning of the end for one’s mental as well as physical health. Alcohol, another depressant, destroys sleeping patterns, disorder mood controls, and arouses anxieties. Studies such as those featured in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research illustrate how people who depend on alcohol for relievers of stress have higher chances of acquiring anxiety disorders.
2. Caffeine
Caffeine is the worst of the worst. The light but annoying substance is responsible for anxiety and stress levels, and increases ease runs rather counter to stress relief. Potentiating heart rates and blood pressure can enhance the perception of stress. Deep caffeine unwittingly throws sleeping patterns out the window which only serves to heighten stress levels in the future. Caffeine in moderation enhances one’s performance in tasks that require focus however excessive amounts are detrimental. Research from the Journal of Anxiety Disorders has drawn a linkage between frustration of caffeinated individuals and the pressing incidences of mental health illnesses.
3. Energy Drinks
Among the negative impacts of energy drinks are the high amounts of caffeine and sugar, known contributors to increased anxiety and sleep disruption. Consumption of these drinks is also known to cause increases in blood pressure with the feeling of jitteriness and nervousness. Research, however, such as the one published in Psychosomatic Medicine, also indicate that people looking for energy drinks to get a boost of energy – may find the opposite, as it actually increases their stress more.
4. Soft Drinks
Some people believe soft drinks are refreshing, while in reality they contain a high amount of sugar and caffeine and can induce more stress. Anxiety levels can also be increased by these beverages, raising blood pressure and sleep disruption. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that the soft drinks, owing, to their caffeine content, suffer from anxiety and stress.
Conclusion
Drinks are also quite helpful when it comes to choosing the right beverage for stress relief. A good way to calm anxiety may be drinking water or herbal teas or milk. Caffeine, energy drinks, alcohol, and soft drinks, however, enhance anxiety and damage mental health. Therefore, being mindful about drinks you consume will help you in managing stress and thereby enhancing your mental wellbeing and physical health.
