5 stress-reducing summer smoothies for nurses

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It’s hard not to get excited about a well-made smoothie, especially at a time of year when just looking outside is enough to make you sweat.

Just when you thought the entire brilliant concept of smoothies simply couldn’t get any better—it did. Starting with these recipes.

Check ’em out. Not only are these ultra-refreshing blends enough to make us drool, but they also contain stress-fighting ingredients to breathe new life into a downer of a day. We repeat: Stress-fighting. Need we say more?

1. Vanilla Chamomile Smoothie

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup spinach
• 2 bananas
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 inch ginger, finely shredded or pressed in garlic press
• 2 cups brewed chamomile tea

The skinny: This bad boy packs a nice punch. Bananas are a solid source of vitamin B6, which aids in the production of serotonin. Ginger helps cleanse the body of harmful chemicals produced by stress, and chamomile boasts a gentle, calming effect—one that has been used for ages to combat headaches, insomnia and other icky symptoms of strain that you could most definitely do without.

2. Pineapple, Kiwi and Cashew Smoothie

• 1½ ounces baby kale
• 4 ounces pineapple
• 1 kiwi, peeled
• ½ teaspoon matcha powder
• ¼ cup raw cashews
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup ice

The skinny: The only “K” more popular than the Kardashians? Kale—and for good reason. Kale is loaded with calcium, which can help you achieve a sounder sleep. The same goes for matcha, which contains amino acids that can likewise enhance memory and lower blood pressure. As for the cashews, they’re bringing the zinc to the table, an essential mineral that’s said to help reduce anxiety.

3. Dark Chocolate and Walnut Smoothie

• 1½ ounces baby spinach
• 1 banana, peeled
• 1 apple, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cacao nibs
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 1 cup vanilla almond milk
• 1 cup ice

The skinny: Cacao is delicious and it boosts your endorphins in a big way, prompting higher levels of serotonin. Walnuts, which are heart healthy (bonus points), also contain melatonin—something we certainly wouldn’t mind more of when a rough day is robbing us of those Z’s.

4. Orange Smoothie

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 orange, peeled and sliced into chunks
• ¾ cup vanilla almond milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• Ice 

The skinny: Is your stress-fighting game strong? With the help of some vitamin C, it can be. Not only is vitamin C said to be one of stress’s more formidable foes, but it also will lend a helping hand to your immune system’s natural defenses and help keep ya going when times are tense.

5. Avocado Smoothie

• ¼ ripe avocado
• ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon smooth unsalted almond butter
• 3 dates, pitted
• Handful of baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 to 5 drops liquid stevia, to taste
• 2 ice cubes
• 1 teaspoon whole chia seeds, to serve

The skinny: “Magnesium deficient” you may very well equal “grumpy” you. Avocado will help bring your magnesium levels up to speed, and you want that.

Nurses—have an all-time favorite blend of your own? Share the recipe with us in the comments section below!