Seasonal depression rears its ugly head during these dark, cold winter months, and kicking feelings of isolation is no easy task. However, using medication to combat these emotions isn’t always the best route to finding happiness. Instead, consider these natural ways to boost your serotonin this winter.
Keep a Balanced Diet
Keeping a healthy diet full of all the necessary food groups, vitamins, and minerals is a surefire way to put a natural smile on your face. Certain foods produce a compound called tryptophan, which the brain converts to serotonin. Fish, whole-wheat grains, white meat, and oats are all super packed with amino acids, which deliver your brian more tryptophan than other foods. Anything with high amounts of protein will also help you get through the dark winter.
Get Proper Sleep
Having solid sleeping habits is vital for all facets of your life. Proper rest rebuilds damaged cells, prevents injuries, makes you more productive during the day, enriches your hair and skin, and, most importantly, boosts your mental health. Having a well-rested body means your brain can produce serotonin more efficiently during the daytime. On the other hand, sleep deprivation is known to deplete natural serotonin levels and hamper specific receptors.
Stay Social and Active
The most significant cause of seasonal depression is isolation, a feeling that all of us have felt more prominently in the past few years. Being away from others can quickly deteriorate our mental state, but luckily, resolving this issue is quite easy.
For starters, exercise keeps your brain activated, which in turn leads to higher serotonin levels throughout the body. Furthermore, being around friends and loved ones further enrich the mind, so try planning more frequent gatherings with others. On the flip side, reach out to other friends who are struggling with isolation and find unique ways to cheer them up again.
By supplementing appropriate amounts of medication with various natural ways to boost your serotonin this winter, you can ensure mental stability and overall satisfaction in life.