Stop the stress!

Do any of you ever feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day to tackle everything that needs to be done? For some reason, the older I get, the harder it is to manage my time. The last few weeks have been extremely demanding at work and the weekends have been almost as busy. I feel like I never have time to sit down and relax. And because of that perhaps, I now have knots in my neck and a wicked tension headache. Ugh.
Anyhoodle, it's common for many to turn to "comfort food" in times of stress...as in heavy pasta, a chocolate bar or salty chips. Unfortunately, experts say those types of rich, high-calorie foods can only aggravate the nerves and pile on extra pounds. So they suggest turning to foods that help alleviate tension, like the ones listed below.

• Foods rich in vitamin B: These include clams, lentils, chickpeas and quinoa. Foods high in vitamin B have a calming effect on the body, helping to melt away feelings of stress and anxiety and enhance your mood.
• Papayas: Fruits and vegetables with orange and yellow pigments are generally going to contribute vitamins A and C, as well as folate, which helps enhance the mood.
• Red bell peppers: These contain vitamins A and C and folate, which help give you more energy and repair cell damage caused by stress.
• Basil and arugula: These stress-reducing herbs are a great source of folate and add great flavor to healthy dishes.
• Sunflower seeds: These contain vitamin E and folate to enhance your mood. 
• Green, leafy veggies: Broccoli, kale and other dark green vegetables are powerhouses of vitamins that help replenish bodies in times of stress. Many vegetables also contain potassium, which can be calming on the nerves. 
• Milk: Low-fat or skim milk is very high in calcium and B vitamins, which help to build bones and protect nerve health. In addition, milk contains protein, which stabilizes blood sugar. 
• Berries: Blueberries are jam-packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which are potent stress busters. As an added bonus, they're high in fiber and low in calories.

I'll definitely be incorporating some of these stress-alleviating foods into my diet in the coming days. But I also find that a cold can of Coke Zero helps calm my spirits.  Cheers!