If you’ve ever had the Winter blues aka Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), it’s no laughing matter and this is the time of year that the gloominess hits many of us hard.
Regardless of whether it’s a seasonal feeling or a longer term issue, diet and lifestyle have a powerful impact on our mood. Here are five tips that are sure to help:
Eat your way to happiness …research shows inclusion of B vitamins, essential amino acids and essential fatty acids have a significant improvement in mood. Adding oily fish, eggs, bee products, tofu or combining vegetarian sources of protein such as rice and beans along with a variety of seeds and nuts, whole grains, seasonal vegetables and avocados to your diet means that you’ll naturally increase these nutrients and minimise the need to take supplements or anti-depressants.
Green tea beats the blues …a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in December 2009 suggests that we’re less likely to be depressed if we sip four or more cups of green tea daily. Japanese researchers studied both men and women and found that those who drank more than four cups of green tea were 44% less likely to report symptoms of depression. Investigators noted that the amino acid theanine found in green tea may play a role in the benefits they saw.
Avoid alcohol …it’s a depressant which increases production of unwanted stress hormones.
Exercise for 30 minutes a day …it releases those all important endorphins, the natural anti-depressants that raise mood. It’ll also help you sleep better, feel better, look better and enhance self image.
Tackle the root cause …if you’re stressed, take proactive control and don’t let issues ride.
Try a variety of these and keep a food and symptoms diary to monitor trends and progress.
Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? ...maybe it's time to get a new www.attitudetofood.com
