HERE ARE THE BEST WAYS TO BOOST YOUR SEROTONIN LEVELS NATURALLY

You might have heard of serotonin several times, without knowing exactly what the function of this hormone is. The chemical is produced by the nerve cells and is mainly found in the digestive system. To make this chemical your body needs the essential amino acid tryptophan which is acquired mainly from foods such as nuts, red meat, and cheese. The high or low levels of serotonin affect your mood and can result in anxieties or depression periods. Serotonin can have huge effects on your physical and mental health, so if what you want is to keep a good mood while staying physically healthy, read this article for natural ways to maintain high levels of serotonin.

1- SIT IN THE SUN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

Of course, you’ve been advised before to spend some time in the sun. In fact, the sun doesn’t only boost your Vitamin D but also your serotonin levels. In fact, some researches have proved that serotonin levels in human beings, tend to be higher during summer and sunny seasons. Therefore, to maximize to benefits of sun on your serotonin levels, aim at: - Spending a minimum of 15 minutes outside per day - Doing your workouts outside whenever possible - Expose yourself to bright light if you are unable to go out

2- EXERCISING

We’ve mentioned before that serotonin levels in your body depend on the amount of tryptophan released. Exercising is one of the natural activities that can trigger the release of tryptophan into your blood. One of the types of exercises that has the most benefits over boosting serotonin levels is aerobic exercising, so do not miss on enrolling in a dancing class to get your heart rate up. You can also try swimming, bicycling, brisk walking or jogging.

3- HEALTHY DIET

We’ve also mentioned before that the main source of tryptophan in your body is from food, therefore you need to find the right types of food that are rich in this amino acid. Tryptophan is mainly found in foods rich in protein, including turkey and salmon. However, not all the tryptophan found in these foods will make it into your brain, for this reason, research suggests eating carbs with foods high in tryptophan for a better result. It is better to consume tryptophan-rich food with 25 to 30 grams of carbohydrates.

4- MEDITATION

Not everyone has tried or even mastered meditation. While it is not an easy practice, it has many benefits especially on the brain, and it can help boost serotonin levels and make you feel happier. How? The scientists at the University of Montreal proved that mindfulness has a direct influence on the brain’s making of serotonin levels. They describe meditation as a practice that “bathes" the neurons with a range of chemicals that makes you feel good and happy, which brushes stress away leading to better levels of serotonin and low levels of depression. Which natural way will you adopt to boost your serotonin levels?