Overwhelmed? Feel like banging your head on the wall?
Life can be difficult. Trying to juggle with responsibilities, expectations and your own needs. You may feel it’s all too much at times.
What can you do to cope?
Incorporate food that boosts your serotonin or also known as happy hormones. It will tackle mood swings and depression. This puts you in a better state of mind, allowing you to think better and perform better.
FOODS TO IMPROVE YOUR MOOD NATURALLY
1. Fruits, Fruit And Fruits
Bananas and kiwis contain high amounts of serotonin. Pineapple has plenty of tryptophan that boosts serotonin and bromelain that has anti-inflammatory properties. Blueberries contain polyphenol that promotes brain health, fights mental illness, enhances cognitive function, and ward off oxidative stress. Just so many nutritional benefits from fruits here don’t you see!
So why not make a fruit salad? This is a way healthier midday snack instead of chips. This is going to benefit your diet plan too *winks*
2. Crunchy Nuts And Seeds
All nuts and seeds contain tryptophan – a precursor to serotonin (and by this time, you definitely already know that if something gives you serotonin, you should totally get that something) and they also have antioxidants that have been shown to lower the risk of depression.
Thus, you could add them to your salad or eat them as they are when you feel like snacking.
3. The Favourite – Dark Chocolate
Rich in antioxidants and N-acylethanolamine chemicals, it boosts your mood and stimulates the brain to release endorphins. Plus it’s so delicious, so why the hell not? HAHAHA!
Eat it as a snack or incorporate it into your desserts!
4. Certain Proteins
Soybeans are amazing! Whether having them as soy milk or tofu, they give you ample amounts of tryptophan – which is then converted to serotonin to alleviate mood.
Milk and cheese also are e excellent sources of tryptophan. Just make sure to not go overboard with it, cause you don’t want to take in excessive fats. So you can opt for low fat milk or cheese.
Salmon is not only tasty but it is also nutritious. High in tryptophan and omega-3 fatty acids, it is beneficial for the skin, heart and bones.
Turkey is popular during thanksgiving and if you notice, everyone usually seems in a good mood after a full meal of turkey and tends to feel sleepy. Well it’s because of the tryptophan that helps the mind to calm down and relax.
5. Those Greens Veggies That You Try Not To Hate
Spinach is high in folate, a B vitamin that can help promote better mood by producing dopamine (another happy hormone by the way).
Asparagus also contains high amounts of folate and tryptophan to boost serotonin levels in the body.
So next time you are preparing your meal, try to incorporate these foods into your diet.
Oh and don’t forget to drink plenty of water! You need it to keep your body and mind hydrated which will aid their functionality.
Hope you feel much better! Take care!
