Maintaining a healthy diet is key for keeping your mind clear and focused all day, but did you know that certain foods could actually help your body to fight stress and anxiety?

If you're feeling overworked and out of sorts lately, try including some of these stress-busting foods in your diet to give yourself a fighting chance.

1. Green leafy vegetables
Adding some spinach or kale to your stir-fry or salad could help to improve your mood. Dark green leafy veg contains folate, which aids your body's dopamine production. As one of the main controllers of your body's reward and pleasure centres, more dopamine means a happier you.

2. Porridge
Yes, a warm bowl of porridge is a comforting way to start the day, but that's not the only reason it's a stress-busting food. Research shows that carbohydrates like oats help the brain to make serotonin, which plays a key role in regulating mood. Stick to complex carbs like wholegrains and oats, as sugary simple carbs can cause blood sugar spikes and mood swings.

3. Black tea and herbal teas
Black and green tea contain caffeine in smaller amounts than coffee, so they'll keep you alert without giving you excess anxiety or jitters. If you want to steer away from caffeine entirely, try chamomile or peppermint tea to soothe and calm your mind.

4. Blueberries
Is there anything blueberries aren't good for? These amazing berries are packed with antioxidants which help our body's general defences. A healthier, stronger you is a happier you, so add a handful to your morning cereal or porridge.

5. Dark chocolate
We know you don't need an excuse to eat chocolate, but a few squares of the dark stuff a day has been shown to reduce production of the stress hormone cortisol. So eat up…