Did you know these 8 foods help fight stress…

Walnuts Eating 1½ ounces per day helps lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety.

Blueberries Their antioxidants counteract the effects of stress hormones like cortisol on your body.

Dark Chocolate is high in flavonoids which are potent with relaxation properties. Chocolate also contains phenethylamine, a chemical that enhances mood. The darker the chocolate, the more healthy substances you're getting in your diet, so look for bars that are 70 percent cacao or higher.

Sunflower Seeds contain a high source of folate, which helps your body produce the feel-good brain chemical and take control of our emotional responses.

Spinach This lean, green leaf is high in magnesium which improves your body's overall response to stress and stops blood pressure from spiking.

Wild Salmon These fatty acids can actually reverse stress symptoms entirely by boosting serotonin and lowering anxiety hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

Oatmeal Have you ever noticed that when your body is stressed you crave carbohydrates? Carbs help you produce serotonin, a calming hormone that helps fight anxiety's negative effects-which is probably why many of us crave them when we're stressed. Oatmeal is high in fiber, which means that your body will absorb it slowly. In one fell swoop, you'll prolong the serotonin boost, keeping yourself feeling full for longer (and on less) and making sure your blood sugar's in check.

Pumpkin Seeds are loaded with stress-busting potential thanks to high levels of magnesium. Only about 30 percent of us meet our daily magnesium requirements, placing the rest of us at a higher risk for stress symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, tension, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness and high blood pressure. A quarter cup of pumpkin seeds gives you half your day's magnesium requirements.

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