Fight Depression this Holiday with Mood Lifting Foods
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Research has shown that certain foods can improve your mood and lessen the effects of mild anxiety and depression. This holiday season, why not try some of the following foods to improve your mood and fight depression.
Milk
Your brain uses an amino acid called tryptophan to make serotonin. I’m sure most of you have heard that tryptophan in that Thanksgiving Roast Turkey is part of what makes you so sleepy, but it’s also present in milk. Well, the serotonin that the brain makes from this stuff is also a mild sedative and can help calm you down and make your mood lighter.
Chocolate
No wonder guys bring chocolate to gals on dates. It’s such a good thing; they hope we’ll associate good stuff with them! Chocolate contains a lot of mood lifting chemicals to fight depression. Plus, chocolate increases the levels of endorphins in the brain, which are literally the happy hormones and a painkiller.
Whole Grains
If you are feeling anxious and grouchy most of the time, try switching to whole grain pasta and breads in your diet. These complex carbohydrates boost serotonin levels, which will increase your sense of calm. Plus, complex carbs can help keep your body fueled longer between meals, helping prevent a mood shattering drop in blood sugar.
Broccoli
Your mom made you eat this as a kid, but Broccoli is quite useful in helping fight depression. It’s also pretty good with cheese sauce. This veggie contains lots of stress relieving B vitamins, which help keep your nervous system in good mental health.
Coffee
It’s a drug for sure, but the caffeine in coffee can work to make you more alert as well as activating your brain’s pleasure centers. On the down side it can also work to increase nervousness and anxiety. If you are just feeling a little depressed, try one small, regular strength cup of coffee each day with milk and chocolate to see if your mood improves.
For more mood lifting foods check out the Ririan Project. http://ririanproject.com/2007/08/29/kick-start-your-day-with-these-11-mood-lifting-foods/
Tags:Anxiety, Depression, Mental Disorders Mental Health