6 Easy Ways to Boost Serotonin Production in the Body
Stress is something inevitable these days. Living in a tech-laden world has lead many people to experience constant exposure to stress and anxiety. Much of this anxiety comes from the pressure to accomplish more tasks in less time. In turn, we find ourselves experiencing extreme mood changes, fatigue, headaches and any other symptoms caused by anxiety and stress. The good news is that there are plenty of easy ways to boost not only your mood but also the production of serotonin in your body to help you feel good amid pressure. Some of these are the following:
- Get enough sleep.
We mean only enough sleep right here. Yes it is true that we tend to sleep more than we need to when we are stressed and feeling like it is not “our day”. Just a reminder, too much sleep can also lead to sluggishness which contradicts our aim for sleeping.
- Avoid stimulants.
Many people would love to drink lots of coffee and alcohol when they are feeling down and anxious. This is because they wrongfully believe that these substances can help them better cope with what they are going through. In reality, coffee and alcoholic beverages contain substances that will cause the depletion of valuable hormones in the body.
- Exercise regularly.
Exercise is perhaps the easiest and cheapest way to boost the production of mood enhancing hormones in the body such as serotonin. A 20-minute daily exercise is enough to allow your body to release these feel-good hormones. In turn, you will find yourself achieving calmness without the need to take mood-altering medications.
- Eat good fats.
Tuna, salmon and mackerel are few examples of fishes that are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are very important for many hormonal processes in the body. Avocados, flaxseed, walnuts and almonds are also heavy with these omega-3 fatty acids.
- Eat tryptophan-rich foods
Tryptophan has been known to help elevate one’s mood. This is because tryptophan plays a vital role in the production of several nervous system messengers associated with restfulness and relaxation. Chicken, soybeans, turkey, halibut, shrimp and cod are few examples of foods loaded with tryptophan.
- Consume good carbohydrates
Experts say that tryptophan must be consumed together with good carbohydrates in order to ensure proper brain functioning. Good carbohydrates can be obtained by eating leguminous vegetables, brown rice and nuts.
The above-mentioned tips are just few of the many ways to boost the production of feel-good hormones in the body. Try to incorporate all of these tips in your daily life and you will find yourself more capable of fighting against the adverse effects of stress and anxiety.