LIFESTYLE
Boost YOUR MOOD, NATURALLY
Deriving pleasure from the everyday joys of life can be almost impossible when lacking energy, strength, and health. In the current years, we have seen a remarkable leap in the way people view mental health, with more and more people stepping forward and talking openly about the issues they face on the inside as well as the outside. By Daisy Mellar
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owever, many of us still struggle with these inward battles and commonly turn to pharmaceutical solutions for help, many of which have extremely negative side effects. By reviewing scientific research, we have outlined a few methods that could help you to boost your mood naturally. One of the most common theories of depressive moods is that they result from irregularly low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which send signals between neurons that influence the way we feel. Serotonin is particularly important in mood regulation as it is a critical regulator of noradrenaline (also known as norepinephrine), another neurotransmitter which is needed for alertness and energy. Many antidepressant medications base their rationale on this theory, and though they may be a cheap and convenient method, their side effects can
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make them very unappealing. So, to try and steer away from pharmaceuticals solutions, we have compiled a few lifestyle tips based on scientific research, aimed to help boost your mood by levelling the balance of serotonin. As the saying goes, ‘Rome wasn't built in a day’, however, with proper lifestyle changes and commitment, anyone can actively shift their mood in the direction of happiness.
Diet
Everything we put into our body affects us, whether the outcome is physical, mental, or both. Think how you feel after having eaten a whole Domino’s pizza compared to a grilled fish, vegetable, and quinoa medley - which one leaves you feeling sluggish and ready for a long nap, and which one leaves you ready to grab your hiking boots and go out on a long walk? Whatever your preference, the fact is that foods are powerful tools in determining our mood, and this is partially due to their influence on neurotransmitters.
