One of the best ways to start to feel better is with natural serotonin boosters. Serotonin is a hormone that can naturally lift your mood and help you to feel better, and although there are medications that can synthetically do the same thing, natural mood enhancers are safer and better for you. Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain that helps to control a person's moods.
It is a natural part of being human to have periods where you are in a bad mood, but like most elements of the human condition, there are various things that can change your mood. Some things that may influence someone's mood would include stress, diet, and activity. Due to the fact that being moody at times is only human, our bodies already have a way of helping to boost our moods, knowing how to enhance these natural mood boosters is a great way to help yourself feel better when you are in a down.
One of the natural serotonin boosters that some people may not be aware of is music. Studies have shown that music is a very powerful remedy for changing the brain's chemistry. Nearly all types of music will help lift your mood, upbeat tunes will increase the serotonin level and help you to feel better, almost instantly.
Carbohydrates are also known to trigger the brain's production of serotonin, but what will happen is there will be a quick uplift and just as quickly you will come down. Due to this and other health dangers, it is best not to use carbohydrates as a mood enhancer.
While avoiding carbohydrates you may also want to consider daily exercise. Physical exercise is among the serotonin boosters that are safe and very good for you. The more you exercise the more your brain will produce this important mood-enhancing hormone.
Getting enough sleep is also important to proper hormone production, including serotonin. Your body needs enough rest to rejuvenate, but getting too much sleep can also be damaging. What you need to concentrate on is getting quality sleep and not extra sleep. If you go to bed at night and sleep about eight hours you should be getting enough sleep, but if you have to, it is okay to take a small 30 minute nap during the day.
Sunlight and fresh air can do wonders for your mood. Before you turn to medication or other drastic measures, you may want to try taking a walk in the sun. Sunlight is a natural method of triggering serotonin, which is why you will see more depression in regions of the world that does not get a lot of sun. The next time you are feeling down simply go out into the sun; take some time to enjoy the beautiful day and the world around you. When you do this you just may be amazed at how much better you feel after a few minutes.
Aside from these methods of boosting your body's production of serotonin, there are also some supplements you can take to boost this hormone. Some of the most popular supplement serotonin boosters include Omega 3, which is a natural serotonin booster, plus you can try St. John's Wort or Ginkgo. Both of these are powerful serotonin boosters, but if you are taking any other medication you should speak to your healthcare provider before starting one of these supplements.
Unless it is absolutely necessary you probably do not want to become dependent on antidepressants, and chances are you won't have to if you learn how to harness the power of natural serotonin boosters.