In today's uncertain world, many of us can benefit by learning techniques to help manage stress. Many are aware of the need to control stress levels for a good reason. Stress is linked not only to depression, but to other life-threatening diseases including cancer, heart disease and lung disease.

Harmful internal toxins are created during times of high stress. When overly excited, angry or afraid, your body releases chemicals throughout. Ever felt butterflies in your stomach every time you think of a certain person or circumstance? This is the release of harmful internal toxins.

As these extreme emotions happen to many of us on a daily basis, these chemicals are released daily as well. They will build up over time. Now you have the daily emotional issues and the built up internal toxins that add to and hold in fear and stress.

Added to these toxins are the chemicals in processed and junk foods. The wrong foods can create a vicious cycle; as you stress you create internal toxins, then add external toxins from foods so you feel worse, so you stress and create more internal toxins, and the cycle continues. Our health and wellbeing is in jeopardy and managing stress becomes even more important than ever.

One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to start managing stress levels is by watching the foods you eat. Have you ever eaten foods that make you feel tired, fatigued or even cranky afterward? Perhaps you have noticed that when you eat lighter foods, you are more alert and have more energy.

Unfortunately, many of us eat the wrong things (like "comfort foods") or don't eat at all when we are nervous, upset, anxious, or depressed. This normally leads to a cycle of further depression and feeling out of control.

Since stress is both emotional and physical, it is during these times that we should take special care of our ourselves. Start taking care of your self and start stress management by making some changes in your diet. It is more important than you might think. Here's why...

Foods that you eat can help or hurt your wellbeing, both mentally and physically. For example, caffeine and sodium can raise your blood pressure, while sugar can cause "the blues." Many processed and junk foods contain these substances in high amounts, which can alter our feelings and, in turn, make life seem harder to deal with therefore more stressful.

At the same time, the wrong foods may cause your body to create excess insulin and higher cortisone levels, which are associated with depression. These can be created by over-eating or eating excess white flour, excess white sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, caffeine, aspartame, monosodium glutamate, and so on.

Many processed and packaged foods contain these in excess amounts. Because of this, it is best to avoid these during stressful times. They can make you feel more hopeless without the energy to change your situation.

On the bright side - there are physical aspects of stress that you can easily control. Consider this - the nutrients in the food you eat can help your body produce dopamine and serotonin for your brain, which are instrumental for feelings of well being and relaxation. These nutrients are found in whole, unprocessed foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits and fresh veggies. Some of the best food examples are tomatoes, bananas and brown rice.

Essential nutrients that are needed for healthy brain function can also be found in EFA supplements (essential fatty acids), green superfoods and balanced proteins such as sprouts and nuts. Each of these provides the nutrients necessary for your body to function properly, which helps to stop the stress toxins from building up and keeping you down.

Start your cycle of stress relief and manage your stress starting today. You don't need a prescription, just a new grocery list. Treat yourself to a healthy diet so you stay healthy, happy and get stress relief during these modern times.