Natural Mood Enhancers | Foods that Fight Depression
Sometimes it feels like we are all just trapped in a never-ending cycle of up’s and down’s. I know that I often get in these negative mood’s that I feel like I just can’t dig myself out of. In fact, more then not I end up digging myself deeper trying to cope by over sleeping, eating poorly, and staring at my phone or the tv too many hours out of the day. With the new year 2021 approaching, I feel a pull to better myself and find a more consistent flow of good energy. In the next few articles I want to share some of my ideas for natural mood enhancers that I am going to start putting into place to find the part of me that is missing. I hope that these ideas give you some inspiration and help you to feel better this season. So, the first topic on my list is…foods that fight depression.
When it comes to holistic health, I believe that food is one of the biggest keys to living a happier and healthier lifestyle. Food nourishes every part of our body, including our brains. I remember when I was really little the teachers I had would give lessons on some of the most basic ideas of how foods nourish us. Foods that are good for the eyes, the brain, skin, and muscles. As we grow older many of us (including myself) have lost the connection between eating food to nourish and eating food to simply fill our belly’s. So let’s talk foods that are good for our brains, and I’ll share my plan to incorporate them into our diets daily. I hope you try this out with me and discover the power of food!
Leafy Greens
Leafy Greens are so important not just for our brain health, but our overall health. They are packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, lutein, and folate that can repair cells, boost mood and slow aging.
The Plan
I am going full force with leafy greens. Being sure to eat at least 2 raw salads a day and I will incorporate them in any recipes I can as well. (Pasta dishes, rice, smoothies, sandwiches) Remember, the darker the green the more nutrients you will get out of it. So try things like spinach, kale, or arugula.
Fish
Fish is packed with a fatty acid called Omega-3. Our brains are actually mostly made up of this fatty acid. People that have mental health problems sometimes have a lack of omega-3. So it is incredibly important that we include foods that contain this fat into our diets.
The Plan
Fish can be expensive and although I would love nothing more then to eat it twice a week my pocket just won’t allow it. So I am going to take an Omega-3 Fish oil supplement daily to get the intake that my brain needs to function it’s best.
Antioxidant Rich Foods
Our bodies are constantly taking in free-radicals that can damage our cells and cause different health problems, including problems with cognitive function that can effect our mood. It’s important to consume foods that are rich in antioxidants that will flush our bodies of these free radicals.
The Plan
Here are just a few of the foods that contain high amounts of antioxidants : goji berries, elderberries, wild blueberries, dark chocolate, green tea, and nuts. Sticking to just these few will ensure I don’t break the bank and I can focus on using them throughout the day. The berries can be used in smoothies and mid-day/night snacks. The dark chocolate and nuts can replace dessert, and I can brew a cup of green tea anytime I need a little warming pick-me-up.
Check out these dark chocolate covered goji berries I found as well, so yummy!
I am just going to give myself these small food goals so there is a better chance of success on a daily basis. Sometimes we get it in our heads that we need to do every single possible option to feel better, but sometimes it’s best to create small goals for ourselves so we can be successful. Remember to give yourself some slack in this process. Being depressed, or in a bad mood is totally natural. Let yourself feel and fall down once in awhile. But always remember you can get back up and grow for the better in anyway situation.
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