Stress relief can sometimes appear to be something of a holy grail - you seem to be continually bombarded by negative people, too much work, not enough play and a feeling that everything is getting on top of you.

If you are looking for a way to relieve stress, take a close look at your diet and consider how it can elevate your mood and help to manage your stress.

Certain foods are natural mood enhancers. These include:

Dairy products. Dairy is high in protein and so help to improve a physical response to stress. You can take dairy in milk or cheese and expect less physical problems due to stress as well as enjoying a lighter mood.

Fish. Fish that is rich in fatty acids, such as salmon, is good for the body as well as the mind. We all know that fish is considered "brain food," but fish that is high in Omega-3 fatty acids is a natural way to treat depression. There are studies that indicate that people who suffer from depression related to stress have low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in their body;

Strawberries. These can help to keep your blood sugar levels stable, which can cause stress. Strawberries are a natural way to stabilize your mood and they are a lot tastier than any kind of SSRI medication;

Spinach. Folic acid is vital to good health and spinach is high in this B vitamin. Studies have also indicated that people who have low levels of folic acid are more prone to depression. Folic acid has a tendency to increase serotonin naturally, which is precisely the way that medications to treat depression work on the brain;

Turkey. This is another food that can boost the serotonin. Turkey contains an amino acid called Tryptophan which can actually make you calm. Remember how sleepy you felt after eating Thanksgiving dinner last year? That was from the Tryptophan, a natural tranquilizer;

Brazil Nuts. These contain selenium, which is another mood enhancer, however, too much of this can prove toxic for your system so eat these nuts sparingly, but include them in your diet;

Complex carbohydrates. These also contain tryptophan and, although we have been warned to "stay away from carbs" these past few years, we need complex carbs, not simple carbs. If you are watching your diet, stay away from simple carbohydrates, such as cakes, cookies and sweets, but eat complex carbs, such as sweet potatoes, that are rich in tryptophan;

Clams, Oysters, Cottage Cheese - all are high in Vitamin B12. Raw clams and oysters have been considered an aphrodisiac for a long time, but cottage cheese is also rich in this vitamin that has been known to enhance your mood and stave off stress.

If you are not getting enough of these foods in your daily diet, consider taking a multi vitamin or a supplement. If you are suffering from stress, it could be because you are deficient in vitamin B as well as Omega-3 acids.

Eating a proper diet is essential to stress relief, so why not give it a try and become a happier person?

About The Author: http://www.WillYouRelax.com for stress relief and relaxation tools. Live longer!

About The Author: Alan Moore used to be a stressed teacher. He still teaches but has now found ways to relax and chill. Want to know how he did it? Visit http://www.WillYouRelax.com for stress relief and relaxation tools. Live longer!