The lockdown and quarantine has made us so dreamy!
Most of us are thinking of all the happy holidays as our travel plans for this year get postpone. Where as some of us are dealing with anxiety listening to COVID-19 news around our nation and the world.
Mental and physical health is a struggle right now and it very important to maintain our immunity to stay healthy and fit during such situations. While our immunity can me affected with anxiety and mental tension which causes a rise in stress hormones, it is very important to easy them with our "Happy hormones".
Yes you read it right!!!
Serotonin and Endorphins are called happy hormones for a reason.
Endorphins are your body’s natural pain reliever, which your body produces in response to stress or discomfort. Endorphin levels also tend to increase when you engage in reward-producing activities, such as eating or working out.
Serotonin helps regulate your mood ,so it crucial for people dealing with anxiety & depression as well as your sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory.
Food that improves your mood :-
1. Pumkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are one of the best food sources of an amino acid known as tryptophan, which helps the production of serotonin in your brain.
Eat this: A teaspoon or two of pumpkin seeds acts as such a fine small mid-day meal or you can add them as a topping to you soup or salad for extra crunch
2. Spinach or Kale
Spinach contains magnesium which makes you feel energetic during bad moods. It helps in increasing phenylethylamine which is basically found in most anti-depressants which lead to the increase in serotonin levels and makes you feel good and happy. It a healthy green vegetable rich in iron content
Eat this: Make a simple spinach soup with will even increase you mood and immunity or you can make a baby spinach wrap with tamarind chutney, peanuts, chillies and grated carrots and onions.
3. Coconut
Coconut is chock-full of medium-chain triglycerides, fats that keep your brain healthy and fuel better moods.
Eat this: Add the shredded coconut to you breakfast with oats or have 2-3 pieces of coconut chunks. Or make a delicious pesto coconut curry with lots of veggies. It will lift your mood instantly :)
4. Avocado
Avocados contain a vitamin called vitamin B3 that is known for serotonin boosting factors. It is also good in omega-3 fatty acids and is highly nutritious. They are loaded with fibres and contain more potassium, which helps in regulating blood pressure levels. It also helps in lowering down bad cholesterol levels.
Eat this: Have an avocado toast for breakfast or an avocado salad with cherry tomatoes and cottage cheese for lunch or dinner. it is healthy, filling and perfect meal to lift your mood.
5. Curd
Curd is a popular probiotic in Indian house hold. It is an excellent mood changer as it contains tryptophan.Serotonin is produced by tryptophan but it cannot cross the barriers of the brain in order to make us happy.
Eat this: Curd and berries become and amazing combination for a tasty dessert and as a mood lifter. Curd rice the most soothing food and easy to digest can be had for lunch.
This quarantine can definitely be a difficult period to deal with but meditate, workout and eat healthy to have good immunity. Try to have few minutes in sunlight everyday which helps your brain produces serotonin.
Relax, stay fit and stay safe.
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