Eating Right Can Change Your Mood
By Stephen R. Farris
Millions of people look forward to the spring and summer months each year. Springtime means the weather starts warming up and marks the beginning of spending more time outdoors. Mother Nature turns up the heat a little once summer arrives, but that means trips to the beach to soak up the sunshine and play in the surf.
Around October, our moods slightly change as the days start getting shorter and the temperatures begin to show signs of dropping. It's kind of depressing to many, and that singular mood takes over more around the time winter hits.
However, there are things you can do to beat the wintertime blues and part of that starts with your diet. There are a variety of foods available during the winter months -- as well as other months too -- that can help alter your mood in a positive way.
For instance, lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, and fish, can put you in a better mood. The amino acids these meats contain work in a positive way, unlike that juicy steak you may prefer more. Save the steak for another time. To keep our mood happy and less in the depressive stage, here are more foods to help with the process.
Berries
Take your pick from strawberries, black berries, blueberries or raspberries. Berries can help limit the amount of certain chemicals in the adrenal glands, that can trigger stress and depression. They're also high in vitamins and minerals.
Folic Acid
Research is showing that folic acid can boost your mood. Folic acid is found in several different varieties of foods, such as green, leafy vegetables, oranges and oatmeal to name a few of them.
Vitamin D
We normally receive an abundance of Vitamin D during late spring and throughout the summer. Not so much when the winter season hits. That's why it's important to get Vitamin D in other forms, such as food. Milk and other dairy products are good sources for Vitamin D. Eggs and mushrooms contain Vitamin D. So if you're stuck inside, order that pizza and make sure you don't forget the mushrooms!
This is just a small sample of some of the foods out there that can help put you in a better mood. When you do find yourself feeling a little down, visit your local chiropractor to see what tips and suggestions they may have to help put you in a brighter spirit. And if you are feeling pain in your back, joints and neck, they can help give you relief in those areas as well.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cypress, Tex.