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Stress is a very big part of life for a large proportion of people. Every day of their lives. This is a problem, because stress feeds on itself. You get stressed because you think there is a chance that you might not succeed at a task. This makes you worry, worrying distracts part of your attention away from the matter on hand. With less of your resources, less of you attention on the task, there is obviously less likelihood of you getting it done properly. In acute cases this can result in low self esteem and depression. It is a vicious circle.

But we have so much to worry about. The kids’ education, the family’s diet and health, obesity, dieting, punctuality, finances, bill, taxes, the kids’ safety on the streets and on the Internet, international peace, terrorists, the environment, oil prices, global warming …

There is lots to worry about and the media are not helping by making a catastrophe out of everything. I often think that is better not to listen to the news or read anything but local newspapers. Nobody asked me if I thought it was a good idea to go fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.

We all realize that people have their own ways of dealing with stress. Most individuals use a permutation of: organization , timetables and the like; exercise, such as training, aerobics or jogging; relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga and massage and socializing, such as a quiet drink in the evening. However, there might be another avenue to try.

Diet. Oh, no, I can hear you groaning, not another blooming diet! Well, I mean diet in the widest sense of the word. Some people reckon that certain foods can reduce stress levels while others ought to be avoided because they elevate them. It is as simple as that.

In general, doctors recommend avoiding stimulants and depressives if you are under pressure. This is because they are mood-enhancers, so they could make you feel worse.

This means avoiding caffeine and alcohol. Likewise with sweet or high-calorie foodstuffs, because they can give people blood-sugar peeks, which can affect your frame of mind.

Seratonin is a natural chemical produced by the brain which promotes feelings of goodwill. Folic acid and vitamin B are useful in the manufacture of seratonin, so foods that include these substances are useful. Asparagus and Brazil nuts are rich in them.

Lean red meat does a comparable job, because it contains high levels of zinc, iron and vitamin B., even though red meat has lost favour with most fad diets.

Dairy products such as milk, skimmed is perhaps the best choice, and cottage cheese are good for the same reasons, because they contain calcium, antioxidants and vitamins B2 and B12.

Red berries are good for supplying antioxidants too. Almonds are very good too, because they contain magnesium, zinc, antioxidants and vitamins B2, C and E.

It is almost certainly not possible to eat you way out of depression, but including these foods in your diet on a regular basis, may help you to keep your spirits up when you come under pressure.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with financial stress. If you are suffering from any form of stress, please go over to our website now at Stress and Heart Disease