Have you ever had one of those days where you just don’t want to be in a good mood? Waking up on the wrong side of the bed is part of life, but it doesn’t have to last. Simple activities like meditation, going for a walk or jamming out to your favorite song can all help relieve a sour mood.
Often times we turn to “comfort” food to put a smile on our face, but we all know that classic comfort dishes are not always the best thing for our health. Here are our Top 7 whole comfort foods that can kick that bad mood to the curb and make you feel great!
- Chocolate
In its purest form, raw cacao naturally contains mood enhancing chemicals like anandamide – taken from the Sanskrit word ananda, meaning joy, bliss or delight. No wonder we feel amazing after a good chocolate indulgence! You’ll want to stick with raw, unadulterated cacao though; popular candy bars and truffles contain a lot of refined sugars and additives that can do more harm than good.
- Vitamin C
You know it’s good for your immune system, but did you know that Vitamin C also has a positive effect on your brain? This powerful antioxidant has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms by helping the body stop the buildup of free radicals and quickly recover from stress. Impressive, right? All you need is a handful of goji berries, or add a teaspoon of camu camu powder into your smoothie to get that C boost you need!
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
By now you have heard that you need omega-3 fatty acids for a balanced diet, but you also need them for a balanced happy brain. EPA and DHA are two crucial omega-3 fats that can actually help battle depression. These little mood-fighters go into the brain and help promote proper functioning of the neurotransmitters which regulate your mood. Getting your daily dose of omega-3s is simple! Add a serving of Sacha Inchi Protein Powder to your favorite smoothie, throw some chia seeds on top of that salad or try a delicious hemp milk latte.
- Aromatherapy
If you’ve ever had a relaxing massage, or lit candles and incense after a long day, you know that the effects of certain smells can do the body good. This is called aromatherapy. The scent of lavender has been shown to decrease feelings of sadness or depression and increase relaxation, while ylang ylang has been found to significantly increase calmness. Other popular aromas such as rose, vanilla and coconut also promote feelings of happiness and calmness. Your ticket to relaxation doesn’t have to be a trip to the masseuse.
- Tea
Sometimes you just need a good cup of tea to reset your mood. Tea is generally made of powerful herbs that can help an array of issues with our minds and bodies. Early medicine has suggested that pau d’arco tea attracts alpha rays, which give human cells a positive electrical charge promoting feelings of happiness, clarity and positivity. Cat’s claw is known to relax soreness or tightness in the body, and when combined with vanilla can be extremely therapeutic. Tea can be enjoyed at any time of day.
- Honey
Sweet, sticky, delicious honey! Other than being far better for you than refined sugars, honey contains kaempferol and quercetin, which are phytochemicals that have the ability to prevent depression and keep your brain healthy! Combined, these precious neuro-heroes reduce inflammation in the brain, promoting clear thinking and happy thoughts. Did you know that honey can replace refined sugar in most recipes? In fact, you don’t even have to use as much. It can also be used with savory ingredients to create a delicious snack experience.
- Antioxidants
We already covered vitamins and well known phytochemicals, but let’s talk about another group of antioxidants; flavonoids. This group of powerful compounds has been scientifically proven to have memory and mood enhancing properties. You see, cumulative damage from free radicals occurs throughout the body but is especially present in memory decline, slowing of body movements and the fatigue, irritability, and mood disturbance that marks depression. Flavonoids kick these free radicals to the curb! Want a colorful, flavonoid-packed boost to your daily regimen? Maqui berries pack a punch and turn everything purple, plus they’re delicious! Try whole berries or powder. For super-immunity anytime, add a pinch of goji berry powder to smoothies, juices or hot water.
Source: Sunfood
Contributor: Dr. Gregg Baron
The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. None of the information presented is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
