Image courtesy of Pixabay/Shivmirthyu
Do you remember your last final exam week? You may be surprised to find out that there are a lot of similarities between the way a student and a teacher both feel.
You feel exhausted because you’ve been studying (or grading) non-stop. You’re feeling drained from all the work you’re putting in on a daily basis. Your social life is completely non-existent, at least for those couple of weeks.
Several days before everything starts, you stop sleeping well, maybe it’s anxiety, maybe you just care too much. There’s a point (usually immediately before the exams begin) where you stop caring about the outcome.
What if I told you that the answer isn’t to avoid the difficult work, but rather to support your body and brain with something that you may be missing out on?
Previously I wrote a post about foods that help to fight stress. Today I’ve decided to share some additional strategies to prepare for your times of stress, mostly in terms of stocking your kitchen cabinet.
Do you have some favorite foods you stock up on before high-stress weeks?
Are you smiling and saying coffee, Red Bull, candy and other types of cheap fuel?
It’s true, some of these will help you to stay awake longer, or make you feel more alert in the moment.
Do these foods help to build up your body or are they temporarily fixing the problem? How often do you experience a “crash” after times like this?
My goal’s to help you find foods and herbs that keep you healthy and sustain your mind and body long-term instead of just for the next few minutes or hours.
Let me share with you 5 awesome SUPERFOODS.
Are you wondering why they’re called superfoods?
Typically these help you to think more clearly and focus better. They make you less hungry, jittery, and tired. They balance your blood sugar better.
You can stock up on them for the next few weeks, but they should become a great addition to your everyday diet.
1. Salmon/sardines
These are an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids. You’ve probably heard that fatty fish is heart-healthy, but omega-3 fatty acids are very useful and protective for your nervous system. They’re essential when you’re learning. If you aren’t a big fish eater, consider exploring fish oil. Maybe you’ve heard childhood stories from your parents complaining of how awful their daily spoonful of fish oil used to taste. Luckily for you, they now make softgel capsules or lemon flavored liquid.
2. Chia seeds
These little seeds are another source of omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also full of fiber. I put them into my oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce. Adding chia seeds to milk (or almond milk) and letting them sit overnight will create a nice tapioca or pudding like consistency. Whether you go for a cold oatmeal, a smoothie, or a smoothie bowl, chia seeds are a smart addition to your breakfast. If you put together in advance 4-5 small mason glass jars with oats, chia seeds, milk, spices and berries, you don’t even have to worry about breakfast at all. Just pull one out of your refrigerator, grab a spoon, and you have a breakfast that easily travels with you.
3. Avocado
One of my favorite simple meals is an avocado sandwich. Avocados are filled with healthy fats, and as you probably know by now, highly protective for your heart and your brain. I cut mine into halves, put it on a piece of bread and sprinkle it with some salt and pepper. Some people drizzle a little honey for a sweet version. What could be tastier?
4. Broccoli/cauliflower
These cruciferous vegetables are amazing detoxifiers. They’re filled with the compounds that help your liver break down toxins you’re exposed to on a daily basis. These are some of the reasons why they are often recommended for patients with cancer or immune conditions. Broccoli and cauliflower are also full of fiber and other green goodness.
5. Quinoa
You’ve probably heard of or have tried this grain. It’s full of protein, magnesium and it’s even gluten-free! I have to admit that even though you can eat it with your fish or salad, I love it as an ingredient in quinoa cakes. They could work as great snacks during your exam week.
In the past I talked about chocolate and goji berries. And they are truly amazing superfoods.
There are many more superfoods out there to discover. Here’s a few great books to explore – David Wolfe – Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future and Julie Montagu – Superfoods: The Flexible Approach to Eating More Superfoods.
Questions: Do you have favorite superfoods not mentioned above? List one item on this list that you’d include on your shopping list in preparation for your exam week.