Smoothies to Help Anxiety: CBD & Other Natural Ingredients
You are what you eat – science continues to prove this idiom true, with study after study underscoring both the physical and mental benefits of naturally sourced vitamins, minerals, and essential fats.
So why not eat (and drink) with purpose, perfecting the balance of flavor and well-being within a personalized smoothie recipe?
The below-mentioned ingredients are packed with vitamins and minerals, proven beneficial for your gut, brain, and overall health. Plus, science suggests that all these smoothie ingredients have anti-anxiety properties!
Although anti-anxiety smoothies likely won’t relieve all your stress, they are a great addition to your daily routine for combatting anxiety symptoms. Partnered with some anti-anxiety ingredients, CBD smoothies are a great option for reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. CBD can also help combat nausea and assist in pain relief due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Take a look at the powerful anti-anxiety ingredients listed below and blend up something not only delicious but packed with healthy benefits.
These smoothies should not be used as a substitute for doctor-prescribed medication when dealing with more severe cases of anxiety. Smoothies can be a great supplement for mild anxiety relief but should not be used instead of professional medical treatment.
Possible Smoothie Ingredients to Help Alleviate Anxiety - CBD & More
CBD
CBD smoothies have become increasingly popular due to their mood-boosting and anxiety-alleviating benefits. Loaded with antioxidants and other valuable properties that can positively impact your health, research shows that CBD can aid in the production of serotonin, one of the heavy-hitting factors for anxiety symptoms.
Simply add a few drops of high-quality CBD to your smoothie and enjoy the soothing results. Elite Elixir uses organically farmed hemp seed oil and 1500 mg of full-spectrum CBD, which interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system delivering stress and anxiety relief. In addition, adding CBD oil to your smoothie recipe can also decrease pain and aid in sleep (without creating any grogginess).
Chamomile
Chamomile is a great addition to your anti-anxiety smoothie mix due to its natural relaxing and stress-relieving properties. For centuries people have been using chamomile tea to calm nerves, help with upset stomachs, and even assist with depression and insomnia. Chamomile contains both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help lower inflammation associated with anxiety.
For the most effective results, try adding a cup of chamomile tea to your smoothie every day for several weeks as long-term use will yield the best results.
Tumeric
The magical compound in turmeric called curcumin is known for boosting serotonin levels, promoting brain health, and preventing anxiety. Known for its high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, a turmeric smoothie is one of the best meals you can have for overall health and anxiety fighting. Our tip? Because tumeric is a savory spice, combine it with fruit with strong flavors like pineapple or mango for a particularly tasty anti-anxiety smoothie.
Interested in learning more about the powers of tumeric? Dive into its pain-relieving capabilities in our articles Natural Pain Relief Alternatives to Tylonel and CBD vs. Tumeric.
Blueberries
High in Vitamin C and antioxidants, blueberries are not only delicious but can assist in regulating your cortisol levels. Aka, they help keep your nervous system calm, reducing the likelihood of feeling anxious. Found to impact both preventing and treating anxiety, blueberries are a much better option for adding sweetness to your anti-anxiety smoothie than adding any type of sugar.
Bananas
Bananas are packed with B vitamins, which contribute to serotonin production. As natural beta-blockers that prevent adrenaline from binding to beta receptors, adding bananas to your shakes can be a smart way to limit anxiety. Bananas can also help create a delicious texture and fill you up.
Spinach
Dark green vegetables like spinach are full of Magnesium and B vitamins, both important nutrients for balancing mood and keeping anxiety at bay. If you don’t have fresh spinach, keep a pack of flash-frozen spinach in your freezer ready to add to your mood-boosting smoothies.
Dark chocolate
Chocolate may not be the first thing you think of adding to an anti-anxiety smoothie, but there are health benefits to eating – or drinking – dark chocolate. Dark chocolate includes flavanols with antioxidant properties. Using about 40 grams (or 2-3 small squares) of dark chocolate to your smoothies can add a yummy touch while also benefiting your anxiety symptoms.
Yogurt
Yogurt is foundational to many smoothie recipes, as it enables you to achieve your preferred level of creaminess and thickness. However, its benefits don't end there. Yogurts can enrich your anti-anxiety smoothie with magnesium and Vitamin D, both which play a small role in boosting your mental wellbeing.
When finding the right yogurt, opt for ones with low sugar. Yogurt rich in probiotics can benefit your body (and anti-anxiety smoothie) in a number of ways, including curbing both depression and IBS symptoms, and boosting your overall immune system.
Green Tea
A little bit of caffeine can work wonders for your mood by making you feel more awake and focused. However, coffee may overshoot "the mark," contributing to your anxiousness rather than quelling it. As alternatives, green tea extracts or powders (like matcha) can help you achieve the perfect balance for your personalized anti-anxiety smoothie recipe.
Tips for Finding Your Personal Favorite Anti-Anxiety Smoothie
Welcome in other healthy ingredients: In addition to the ingredients listed in this article, consider other healthy additions such as cinnamon, matcha, ginger, or coconut water to keep things interesting and tasty.
Find the right balance of sweetness and other flavors. Perfecting the taste to align with your personal preference is key in creating a routine for making anti-anxiety smoothies. The more you love your blended creation, the more likely you are to make it part of your daily life. Keep in mind that you should use a minimal amount of sugar not to add additional inflammation and stress to your nervous system.
Don’t overdo it with any caffeine. Although caffeine has its place in most people’s daily routine, more than a small amount can be counterproductive to your anxiety symptoms. Caffeine heightens your nervous system response and can make your symptoms worse.
Measure out ingredients prior to adding them in order to recreate (and perfect) the recipe. What may be "too thick" for one person may be perfect for another. Same goes for sweetness and flavor combinations. Therefore, we're big proponents of experimenting to individualize your anti-anxiety smoothie recipe for your precise tastes. The best way to do this is to measure out ingredients, write them down, and take note of potential improvements.
By Emily Wegener
With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.
