Foods to Boost Your Mood

Nuts: Dry fruits or nuts as we call them are all high in magnesium, which plays a major role in converting sugar into energy, and are also filled with fiber to keep your blood sugar levels even. Keep a bag of nuts like almonds, cashews and hazelnuts at your desk and just a handful will give you longer lasting energy than a cup of coffee ever will.

Dark Chocolate: Eat a square or two of dark chocolate energizes the body by providing an excellent source of iron and magnesium. Dark chocolate can improve cognitive function, it can prevent Alzheimer and dementia and it can also boost your mood in a matter of minutes. The darker the chocolate you consume, the better! Dark chocolate slows down the production of stress hormone, and the anxiety levels automatically decrease, moreover, chocolate also makes the brain release endorphins and also boosts the serotonin levels. This creates a feeling of well-being that lasts for several hours.

Green Tea/ Ginger Tea: A large review of studies conducted by researchers world over found that drinking three cups of tea daily was associated with a positive attitude. Also a report recently showed that study participants who sipped four or more cups of green tea daily reported having a more positive mood. Green tea has been used for thousands of years due to its numerous benefits. Just like berries, green tea is also very rich in antioxidants, amino acids and L-theanine, known for reducing stress and anxiety while improving the mood. If consumed on a regular basis, green tea can give a feeling of overall well-being.

Fish: Salmon is a great source of the energy-boosting goodness that is essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for energy production, brain activity and circulation. Just a gram of fish oil each day and noticed a 50 percent decrease in symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disorders, unexplained feelings of sadness, suicidal thoughts.

Milk: Milk contains proteins high in tryptophan, which is a building block in the bloodstream for serotonin in the brain. It’s a source of carbohydrates and vitamin D (low levels have been associated with depression), which is required for the production of serotonin. Milk is also a source of calcium, which has been shown to reduce anxiety.

Banana: Bananas contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals, as well as tryptophan which is known for raising serotonin levels. All the compounds found in bananas are mood-boosting, and vitamin B6 converts tryptophan into serotonin, the mood-lifting hormone. Bananas are one of the world’s best foods for supplying your body with energy. Rich in potassium and B vitamins, they can provide your body with a more sustained release of energy. The supply of vitamins and carbohydrates in bananas make you feel full, help slow down digestion and keep blood sugar levels stable.

..Divya