4 Stress-busting smoothies

Did you know what you put in your body can help reduce your stress levels? With these vitamin-packed stress-busting smoothies you should feel your anxiety melt away.

Anti-stress avocado smoothie with minty zing

Serves 1

Avocados are one of the best ways to reduce blood pressure. They have more potassium than a medium-sized banana. Fennel is a great digestive aid and has a calming influence. Choc-full of vitamin B, this dairy-free smoothie will calm your frazzled nerves.

Ingredients:

• 8 leaves of fresh mint
• 2-1/4 slices of avocado
• 1/2 cup fresh, roughly chopped fennel
• 1/2 can crushed pineapple (in juice, not syrup)

Directions:

1. Using a sharp knife, roughly chop the fresh fennel and mint leaves.
2. Throw all the ingredients in a blender and whiz.

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The happy banana smoothie

Serves 1

As well has having properties which reduce blood pressure, bananas also contain manganese and vitamin B which releases serotonin — the hormone which gives you the happy, feelin’ groovy feeling.
The coconut oil aids digestion and boosts your immunity.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized frozen banana
• 1/2 can of crushed pineapple (in juice, not syrup)
• 5–6 ice cubes
• 1/2 tablespoon organic, deodorised coconut oil
• Splash of coconut essence of a tablespoon of shredded coconut

Directions:

1. In a large blender, whiz the ice first to crush it.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well until the oil is mixed in.
3. For variation, leave out the pineapple, add honey and a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolate-y treat.

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Nutty banana smoothie

Serves 1

Once of the most stressful things in life is illness. Did you know people who have peanut butter are less likely to develop heart-related issues or Type 2 diabetes? Harvard University studies have discovered that the health benefits of peanut butter far outweigh the salt and fat content. Drink up! This nutty banana smoothie will give you less to stress about.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 medium banana
• Handful frozen berries
• 5–6 ice cubes
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• Splash of almond milk

Directions:

1. In a large blender, whiz the ice first to crush it.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend.

Double banger grapefruit smoothie

Serves 1

It’s a double banger smoothie because it has two main benefits. It could help you lose weight and reduce your stress. Grapefruit and coconut oil both help with weight loss, while the kale reduces stress on our bodies with its anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium banana, frozen
• 1/2 pink grapefruit
• A huge handful of kale
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 5–6 cubes of ice

Directions:

1. In a large blender, whiz the ice first to crush it.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend.

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Image source: Anneke Moore/Facebook