Happiness, like many other emotions, is an interesting and perplexing thing. It is often fleeting and/or reactive to external circumstances. That being said, it can also be influenced in other ways.
When it comes to happiness by activity in the brain, the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine are responsible for feelings of joy and euphoria.Food also imposes on brain chemicals, and some foods more than others. Atoms and molecules change all the time in response to our body’s reactions and needs.With this information, what we can be sure of is that happiness really does often come from what is happening on the inside, so it is certainly something we can attempt to control and influence for our daily lives.
The brain needs to be nourished properly in order to be functioning at its utmost and optimum level. Here are 6 foods that have shown to contribute to an elevated mood.
Please note, we are not dieticians and these are simply suggestions you can consider and decide for yourself or based on a medical doctor’s advice if needed!
6 Foods for Boosting Happiness
- Caffeine
Caffeine is consumed all over the world and for ages. It has been studied often and is found in many tea and coffee beverages. Caffeine has been shown to reduce stress, decrease feelings of depression, and improve a cranky mood. Caffeine also helps to alleviate headaches. Some of us really need it to get going in the day.
2. Dark Chocolate
A bittersweet goodness that is enjoyed worldwide and even in fancy settings. Dark chocolate is considered as the healthier option to regular chocolate. Chocolate in general is considered good for both your health and your tongue, but dark chocolate is scientifically proven to be the healthier and more nutritious choice. There are antioxidants that flourish within the entire piece of chocolate that you consume - dark chocolate is actually good for our bodies and mood.
3. Mushrooms
Mushrooms oddly have a chemical called selenium in them, which studies have shown, decreases anxiety and depression! Easy to cook and flavor to your liking, you can’t go wrong garnishing your entrée with mushrooms or including them regularly in your meals.
4. Green Tea
Green tea has antioxidants that kill free floating free radicals in the human body. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons and can cause damage in the body and contribute to diseases. Research has proven that green tea has been known to create more longevity within the consumer’s lifespan. It is consumed most often in Eastern countries, including Japan - where people have the longest lifespans overall in the world! With a little bit of honey over sugar as a sweetener, it can even satisfy one’s sweet tooth and add additional benefits!
5. Fruits & vegetables
It’s a given and well-known that fruits and vegetables are super healthy and necessary for human health overall. Health is happiness. People who eat higher amounts of fruits and vegetables are feeding their brain and body properly, thus resulting in more happiness overall and less negative symptoms or conditions, as opposed to peers who do not eat fruits and vegetables.
Eating raw is the right way to go, the more natural, the better choice.
6. Probiotics
Probiotics, often found in yogurt, also contribute to overall wellness and happiness. Studies have found that along with numerous benefits including boosting the immune system and cognitive function, probiotics have also shown to reduce stress and anxiety and boost overall mood. There is good bacteria and bad bacteria, and we need both for good health.
Be sure to stock up on your probiotics as it helps keep good and bad bacteria in your gut at a stable rate.
Choosing the right types of food to include in our diet in order to live better, should entice any individual who is also looking to improve their mood overall. These simple foods are a great and easy fix for crankiness and irritability.
Food and feeling good is a powerful boost for the brain!