5 Stress-Relieving Smoothies (And 1 Key Ingredient)

Looking for a little stress snack? We gotchu covered.

The food you eat holds a lot of power. 

Matthew J Kuchan, Ph.D., a Senior Research Scientist at Abbott, explained it this way, “Eating a healthy diet can reduce the negative effects of stress on your body.”

So, push the comfort foods aside and pull out your blender, because we are going to show you some of our favorite stress-relieving smoothies. 

1. Mint To Be Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 8 leaves of fresh mint
• 2 ¼ slices of avocado
• ½ cup fresh, roughly chopped fennel
• ½ can crushed pineapple (in juice, not syrup)
• 2-4 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (depends on the age of drinker)

Instructions:

1. Chop the fresh fennel and mint leaves.
2. Combine all ingredients.
3. Drop in 2 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (for ages 3-11) or 4 dropperfuls (for ages 12+). 
4. Blend

Stress Hack: Avocados are packed with omega-3 fatty acids which are known to reduce stress. Fennels are also known to have a calming effect. 

2. Flex Flax Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup spinach
• 1 carrot
• 1 tablespoon rolled oats
• ¼ cup raspberries
• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup ground flax seeds
• 2-4 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (depends on the age of drinker)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Drop in 2 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (for ages 3-11) or 4 dropperfuls (for ages 12+). 
3. Blend.

Stress Hack: Flax seeds are another great source of omega-3 fatty acids, known for mood-lifting. Also, a great thickening agent in smoothies!

3. The WalNuttiest Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces baby spinach
• 1 banana (peeled)
• 1 apple (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons cacao nibs
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 1 cup vanilla almond milk
• 1 cup ice
• 2-4 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (depends on the age of drinker)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Drop in 2 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (for ages 3-11) or 4 dropperfuls (for ages 12+). 
3. Blend.

Stress Hack: Cacao contains nutrients (like magnesium) that boost mood.

4. Fruity Smoothie 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of your favorite frozen tropical fruit
• 1 banana (peeled)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 handful of spinach or kale
• ⅔ cup of your liquid of choice (almond milk, coconut water, etc.)
• 2-4 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (depends on the age of drinker)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Drop in 2 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (for ages 3-11) or 4 dropperfuls (for ages 12+). 
3. Blend.

Stress Hack: Bananas have B-Vitamins (like Folate and Vitamin B6) that are important for the production of serotonin. Serotonin can help improve mood.

5. Strawberry Stress-Free Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of soy or almond milk
• ½ banana (peeled)
• ½ avocado
• 1 handful greens (spinach, kale, or chard)
• 4 large strawberries (cut stems off)
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
• 1 tablespoon sweetener honey or agave nectar
• 4 ice cubes
• 2-4 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (depends on the age of drinker)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Drop in 2 dropperfuls of Zen Drops (for ages 3-11) or 4 dropperfuls (for ages 12+). 
3. Blend.

Be sure to stock up on Zen Drops so you can add some additional chocolatey flavor to your smoothie!

Zen Drops are made with Passionflower extract to increase GABA levels which promote a calm state of mind.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.