We humans can become a moody bunch in times like these, when there’s uncertainty of the unknown. We can suddenly get sadden by hearing bad news, by the persistent rain, or we wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
We’re then destined to have a bad day, all which sours our mood even further. Getting in a bad mood can be triggered in a variety of ways, depending on the person or situation.
What’s known for certain, is that having the “blues,” feeling down, makes us more susceptible to common illnesses, such as depression.
So the key becomes to boost mood, this quickly and as naturally as possible. It becomes important to follow these natural mood boosters, before taking prescription medication.
9. Eat Foods That Contain Magnesium
Once feeling a pang of sadness without knowing it’s cause, it could be as simple as a deficiency in magnesium.
What this precious nutrient is vital for is proper nerve functioning, as well as the production of serotonin in the brain. As a result, getting more magnesium in the body, elevates mood.
What magnesium also does, is helps in keeping one feel calm and relaxed, as it’s deficiency is often associated with sudden mood swings, irritability, and behavioral disturbances.
Some natural magnesium rich foods include bananas, almonds, pumpkin seeds, avocados, oatmeal, tofu, and supplements.
8. Get Plenty Of Exercise
Exercise is natures preferred “fix” to improve mood, which hugely benefits sluggish mental health.
What any type of fitness does, is automatically helps the brain release endorphins, which are the chemicals that promotes those feelings of euphoria and well-being we all seek.
What’s known for certain, is that exercise improves mental health, this by reducing stress, anxiety, and negative mood.
It jump starts self-esteem and cognitive functioning. So get your body moving by doing aerobics, such as jogging, walking, swimming, cycling, or dancing.
7. Eat More Nuts
Brazil nuts are especially singled out, as they are known to have excellent natural mood boosting properties.
They’re known to increase the levels of selenium, as low levels are associated with poor unresponsive mood.
This powerful antioxidant, also improves overall health, by fighting free radicals while strengthening immunity.
So the next time that you feel a little down, enjoy munching on a handful of Brazil nuts, which is guaranteed to elevate your mood.
Make sure that they’re organic with no added flavoring or salt. Limit your intake, as they are also high in calories.
6. Laugh As Often As Possible
Laughing is a natural reaction, and one of natures preferred tonics to elevate mood. What laughter does is reduces the “sad” hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, while increasing the “happy” hormones.
Laughter is excellent therapy, as it triggers the brain to elevate the good endorphins. Laughter is known to help those who may be suffering from SAD, or extreme moodiness.
Everyone also loves those who are happy, laughs a lot, has a sense of humor, which all has social, spiritual, physiological, psychological, and life altering benefits. So the next time you feel down, watch a funny movie.
5. Get Plenty Of Sunlight
What regular exposure to sunlight does, is instantly stimulates poor mental health. Natural sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, as it’s deficiency is known to lead to crankiness.
The lack of it, has proven to lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is common during the winter months with limited sunlight.
The vitamin D that’s extracted from the sun, helps the brain produce the mood lifting chemical serotonin, which reduces stress while fighting off mild depression.
All that’s needed, is getting 15 to 30 minutes per day of brilliant sunshine, or by consuming vitamin D rich foods and supplements.
4. An Apple Or Two A Day
What eating fresh crunchy apples does, is helps perk up mood. They’re extremely rich in nutrients, the ones which helps in boosting happiness.
What they also contain is vitamin C, which by itself has mood elevating effects. What’s especially recommended is eating tart tasting crunchy green apples.
Apples are also renown for being rich in fiber, carbohydrates and pectin, all which are guaranteed to lift energy levels.
So make it a point to eat at least 2 apples a day, this to improve mood, while increasing overall health.
3. Drink More Green Tea
Drinking a cup of green tea over any other beverage, has proven to boost mood, as it contains antioxidants along with nutrients, which instantly provides a better more alert state of mind.
What antioxidants does, is promotes healthier blood vessels to the brain, allowing for more efficient functionality.
Theanine, which is an amino acid that’s commonly found in green tea, helps improve attention and focus.
Studies show that drinking green tea, increases the brains happy chemicals dopamine and serotonin. So instead of enjoying coffee when feeling down, try green tea instead.
2. More Omega-3 Fatty Acids
For those feeling a little down, should alter their diet to include more omega-3 fatty acids in their diets, which plays a vital role when it comes to emotional health.
The two main ingredients of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, plays a key role, when it comes to proper nerve functioning and mood regulation. They also add integrity to brain cells.
There are a series of studies, which shows that a deficiency of omega-3, is the leading contributor to one experiencing poor mood disorders.
So make it a point to include more omega 3 in your diet, in the form of fresh fish, certain seeds or supplements.
1. Try Some Tender Loving Dark Chocolate
The good news when feeling down, is that dark chocolate can help. Taking a few bites of luscious chocolate can do is make one feel happier, provided that it’s dark chocolate and not milk chocolate.
What the at time bitter tasting dark chocolate does, is increases the levels of serotonin in the brain, which improves mood.
Dark chocolate also reduces “stress” hormones in the brain, including cortisol, for those experiencing stress and anxiety. The reason being, dark chocolate contains essential antioxidants.
So to improve your mood by eating 2 ounces of dark chocolate on a daily basis, but be aware of it’s calorie content.
I used to dislike dark chocolate, but when I heard of its benefits, I acquired a taste for it. I didn’t know about some of the others. Thanks for the tips!