A good amount of serotonin in your body can really improve your mood, increase your appetite, eliminate fatigue, and make you an overall happier person. Therefore, it is important to maintain a high level of serotonin in your system.
Serotonin is often considered the “happy hormone” as it helps lift your mood, and a good level of serotonin in your body has other great effects as well, such as improving bone mass, making you healthier, and overall , contribute to their well-being.
Due to the hype surrounding this chemical, there are many supplements and medications available that are billed as “boosting serotonin levels.” Medications such as Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac are often prescribed to correct low serotonin levels. It is always advisable to stay away from these drugs without the advice of a doctor. Self-medication never leads to anything good. And even with a prescription, these ‘happy pills’ are known to be addictive. They also come with a number of potentially dangerous side effects. So, as with any other drug, these must be treated with caution; and it is only used when prescribed for a severe case of depression.
On the other hand, by focusing on your diet and exercise routine, you can easily get a serotonin boost that will keep you happy, healthy, and fit naturally.
So if you want to feel fresh, healthy, and energetic, here are three tips to naturally boost your serotonin levels:
· Lead an active, outdoor lifestyle.
Here’s a truth about serotonin that you may now know: Serotonin production is naturally increased by sunlight. This is why there is a drop in serotonin levels in winter, which has been suggested as a reason for the ‘winter blues’.
Furthermore, scientists have discovered that serotonin levels naturally increase during physical exercise.
So try to choose a lifestyle that allows you to have a lot of “fun in the sun.” Sports like lawn tennis, golf or soccer will give you plenty of opportunities to be in the sun more often. Try joining a soccer or tennis club, perhaps, or sign up at your local golf course.
Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Eat healthy: It is very possible to maintain a good level of serotonin with a good and balanced diet, concentrated in products rich in the basic components of serotonin. The following things should be kept in mind when planning what to eat to boost your serotonin levels:
a) Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is essential to maintain optimized serotonin levels, as it is one of the building blocks of serotonin. So include foods rich in vitamin B6 in your diet. Such foods include spinach, garlic, cauliflower, celery, ocean fish, chicken, turkey, and lean beef.
b) Healthy grains such as amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa and millet contain a high percentage of protein and small amounts of the essential carbohydrates needed to increase serotonin levels. So try to implement these grains in your diet as much as you can.
(c) Include Fermented Drinks: Fermented drinks are very healthy and should be implemented in your diet. They help boost the immune system, keeping it fit and disease-free. In addition, they help produce the B vitamins that are required to produce serotonin.
· Eliminate stress – as much as possible. Stress is one of the biggest threats to your long-term health that you can face in the modern world. Many jobs these days categorically have stressful elements. Stress triggers the production of adrenaline and cortisol. These are hormones that interfere with the production of serotonin. So if you want to stay happy, de-stress as much as possible.
If you’re looking to stay happy and healthy, increasing your serotonin levels is the way to go. Implement these healthy and natural tips into your lifestyle and be happier and healthier every day!