There are some days we wake up and we are overwhelmed by what is on the calendar for today. Whether you have back to back meetings, or a really hard conversation has to take place, your mood can be effected. Life isn’t easy and we are all looking for ways to cope and handle stress and anxiety. There are many ways to naturally boost your mood. Getting 8 hours of sleep, soaking up the sunshine and playing with your pets are some natural mood boosters, but you can also eat these 5 foods to boost your mood! That’s right, food not only helps you physically, but it also supports you mentally.

Studies have shown that these foods can relieve stress, fight depression and ease worry and anxiety. These are foods that you can add into your daily or weekly diet. It is also very powerful to plan ahead. When you know you are going to have a busy, or as I like to say a full week, I plan accordingly. And not only with making sure I get time to workout, go to bed early, but also in little snacks to help boost my mood on those days where my schedule is more full.

Check out this list of 5 mood boosting foods

Dark Chocolate

And all the chocolate lovers rejoice! There is proven science behind why chocolate makes us feel good, and that having a little bit is not bad for you! A study done in Switzerland found that eating dark chocolate (1.4 ounces to be precise) every day for two weeks reduced stress hormones. Powerful antioxidants are found in dark chocolate that not only reduce stress, but lower blood pressure and fight diseases. But remember, everything in moderation is key.

Carbohydrates

Carbs don’t make you fat, they boost your mood! Carbohydrates support the production of serotonin or also known as “the feel good” chemical in the brain. So eating those essential carbohydrates is key to a healthy diet and boosting your mood naturally.

Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits and veggies that are high in antioxidants have been proven to lower the risk of depression. Folate, a vitamin that can be found in citrus fruits and spinach, affects neurotransmitters that impact your mood. So, these foods are not only packed with vitamins, minerals and nutrients that heal and strengthen you physically, but they will also help to improve you overall mental state as well.

Fish

Eating fish that are filled with the good fats such as salmon, tuna, and rainbow trout, will give your body a boost of omega-3s that we ourselves cannot produce. We have to get these omegas from food or a supplement. Omega 3’s alter the brain chemicals that are specifically linked to serotonin and dopamine. Lower levels of serotonin are linked to depression and aggression, and dopamine is the chemical that is released after a good experience. Remember to always check your labels, and look for wild caught fish.

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to get sufficient Omega 3’s is by using a nutritional supplement. I prefer to use Maximized Living’s Optimal Omega as with all ML supplements, they place a huge emphasis on sourcing only the highest quality ingredients.

Strawberries

One of the most beloved fruits, strawberries are not only delicious but have been shown to improve your mood. They are rich in vitamin A, C, and manganese. They help support the brain against degeneration, and boost the happy chemicals in your brain. So, they taste good, they are packed with vital nutrients, and they make you happy. Seems like this a go to fruit for you and your whole family.

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