Fight Stress Levels By Modifying Your Diet The beginning of the end of your day should include a de-stressing ritual.

By Shoug Al Nafisi

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

The beginning of the end of your day should include a de-stressing ritual. Having deadlines, a full schedule, and generally fighting the clock each day is likely to keep you wide awake at night. This, however, is one fight you can definitely take on with a proper diet, and that doesn't mean you have to go for foods and beverages that are out of the ordinary- these staples are easy and accessible, even for "treps constantly on the move.

Bounce back
Oily fish, nuts, and the recently trending chia seeds all contain omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory as well as anti-stress properties. Having varied omega-3 sources of food, regularly and in appropriate amounts, is very helpful in maintaining physical health, as well as handling stress.

That's rich!
Milk has the capacity to increase serotonin in the brain, subsequently giving you the feeling of well, being perfect for any time of the day. Milk's Magnesium, Calcium and Potassium keep blood pressure down by dilating blood vessels, while also lowering cortisol, the stress hormone, further contributing to that much-needed relief. Serotonin regulates a few important things, not the least of which are mood, appetite, and sleep, so stock up. Other serotonin-boosting foods? Dark chocolate that measures at least 70% cocoa, seafood, and bananas.

Warm up
Warm drinks are associated with comfort- you can trigger that response every time you have something warm. That said, green tea contains antioxidants and a specific amino acid, theanine, responsible for encouraging a state of relaxation. A promoter of alpha-wave production and dopamine increase, you'll want to have a warm cup of good-grade green tea to help you unwind.

A nutritionist, and public health advocate, Shoug Al Nafisi has worked in domains that ranged between community nutrition, emergency relief, and social media. A humanitarian at heart, she works to promote her firm belief in the wellness of the human being as a powerful and productive entity within the community. As a writer, she has co-authored a scientific publication, and has many writings as a contributor and guest blogger covering topics such as wellness, productivity, and empowerment.
Business Plans

How I Turned a Failing Business Into a $1 Million Powerhouse in Just 6 Months

Here's how I addressed five major revenue drains and transformed a struggling business into a million-dollar success in just six months.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growth Strategies

When Resilience Creates Innovation: Lessons for Entrepreneurs

As the MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem keeps growing—with MENA startups raising US$2.3 billion in 2024—this resilience-driven approach offers valuable lessons for founders everywhere.

Growing a Business

Master These 5 Pillars of Excellence to Overcome Obstacles and Reach Your Goals

Being a top-performing entrepreneur takes more than discipline. There are the five pillars of entrepreneurial excellence you need to build any empire.

Growing a Business

Is Your Business Struggling? Take These Steps to Drive Your Company to Success

By embracing victories and rigorously analyzing weaknesses, you can forge a powerful plan that ensures not just survival but also thriving success.