“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
~ Charles M. Schulz

Good Food For The Soul

Since March brings us the first day of Spring, and Springtime brings happiness, it seems only appropriate to dub March “The Month of Happiness” here at Vinings Massage. For the rest of the month, our blog will focus on different ways to bring more happiness into your life. This week’s helping of happiness? Food. Now, we’re not talking about pizza, cheeseburgers, and milkshakes (although there are days when I swear a slice of pizza will make me the happiest girl on the planet). There are actually foods… yummy, healthy foods… that contain certain vitamins, minerals, and organic chemicals that can help reduce stress and promote happiness.

Flaxseed/Flax Oil

Flaxseed increases serotonin levels because it contains high levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids have been used to treat depression, and make up a large portion of brain nerve cells that are very important to the way our bodies function. It has been recommended to take 1-2 teaspoons of flax seed oil daily to improve your mood. You can add it to a smoothie or take it on it’s own! This is a great way to get your recommended dosage of omega 3 if you are vegan or vegetarian.

Fish and Seafood

Wild fish and seafood contain oils rich in essential fats that have been shown to ease mood swings and depression. Ingesting sufficient amounts of fish oil will help tame your cravings and curb your appetite when hunger kicks in.

Fruits

Fruits such as blueberries and bananas help to maintain serotonin levels. Blueberries are filled with antioxidants and Vitamin C, which help reduce stress levels. Bananas contain high levels of tryptophan, the chemical found in turkey that has been known to make you sleepy. In Canada, tryptophan is prescribed as a complimentary medication to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression.

Eggs

Good quality eggs, such as grain fed and farm raised, rank highly among foods that increase serotonin levels. Eggs contain large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, proven to improve your mood. Eggs are a great source of cholesterol, which (when ingested in healthy amounts) is known to raise testosterone levels, increasing serotonin production.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in folic acid, which promotes healthy red blood cells and a strong immune system. This keeps you energized and far from depression.

Chocolate

You were waiting for this one, weren’t you? Chocolate (mainly dark chocolate) contains antioxidants, which trigger the natural anti-depressant hormones in the brain. Chocolate also contains tryptophan. Plus, chocolate is just delicious, which makes everyone happy.

Adding these foods to your diet is just one way to help keep you happy and healthy. Just remember, everything in moderation… even medicinal chocolate!

Thanks for visiting! We at Vinings Massage wish you wellness and HAPPINESS!