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7 Stress Busters: Soothing Foods And Calming Scents

Posted: 11/15/2011 7:00 am
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By Amy Paturel, M.S., M.P.H. and Patricia Bannan, M.S., R.D. for EatingWell

If you're feeling stressed, take heart: What you eat and smell may help you de-stress. "The part of the brain that processes odors is very close to the [part that houses] emotions and memories," explains Pamela Dalton, Ph.D., M.P.H., a researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. So when you sniff something you like, you tend to breathe more deeply, your blood pressure lowers and your heart rate slows -- all of which relax you. Eating some foods may help relax you too. So arm yourself with these soothing scents and tasty foods to cope when you are stressed.

More from EatingWell:
5 Natural Happiness-Boosting Foods
5 Home Remedies for Headaches And More Common Ailments

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In one 2010 study, British researchers randomly assigned 340 dental patients to one of two groups. In the first, they diffused lavender oil with a ceramic candle warmer before the start of morning and afternoon clinics. With the second group the lavender oil was replaced with water. Their findings: The group exposed to the lavender scent reported significantly lower anxiety levels. And if it works during dental appointments, who's to say it can't work during other stressful times?
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By Amy Paturel, M.S., M.P.H. and Patricia Bannan, M.S., R.D. for EatingWell If you're feeling stressed, take heart: What you eat and smell may help you de-stress. "The part of the brain that proces...
By Amy Paturel, M.S., M.P.H. and Patricia Bannan, M.S., R.D. for EatingWell If you're feeling stressed, take heart: What you eat and smell may help you de-stress. "The part of the brain that proces...
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ViviMarr Williams
22 Fans
12:58 AM on 12/03/2011
Lavender and really dark chocolate (with least amount of sugar) do help me with stress especially last and this month.
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bumper870
51 Fans
08:06 AM on 11/20/2011
There are not 8
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
hman570
234 Fans
 
07:43 AM on 11/20/2011
Cool but I still get headachs.
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jaimepero
0 Fans
05:46 AM on 11/20/2011
Lavender! Of course! I bathe every day with Yardley's lavender soap. It makes me feel clean, happy and cool!
Jaime
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Patti Jenson
18 Fans
04:15 AM on 11/20/2011
i know lavender works. and its nice to know my black tea with honey are also doing me some good. Suddenly i have a craving for a coconut lol
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Blue Bunny
47 Fans
02:51 AM on 11/20/2011
It is a no-brainer that Carbs make a person sooo much happier, lol. Nothing like a greatpiece of bread, esopecially if it is piping hot! yuM!
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lthrnck68
Reading IS
137 Fans
10:40 PM on 11/19/2011
Well, it seems that the smell of fresh baked bread should have been put on this list. Then there's the fresh baked pies. Certainly calming to me.
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Nice person
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01:30 AM on 11/20/2011
SEMPER FI
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