people

Did you know that certain foods can actually have an effect on your mood? I didn’t until recently when I was trying to think of what to give out at our first Happster meet up. I wanted to give something that people would not just enjoy eating, but also positively affects their mood.

Here are my main findings about mood-boosting foods:

Vitamin B

These vitamins are also called “anti-stress vitamins”
They balance your mood and can help ease your anxiety
Some foods with vitamin B include asparagus, nuts, brown rice, bananas, and beans

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

They are known to be brain-boosting and help keep anger in check
There have been studies that show they may help fight depression
Some foods with omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, flax seeds and walnuts

Vitamin D

Vitamin D regulates serotonin, dopamine and other mood hormones
Studies have shown vitamin D can help combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Some foods with vitamin D include fortified milk and orange juice, sardines, eggs, mushrooms, salmon and tuna

Phenylethylamine

Phenylethylamine is a mild alkaloid stimulant that your body produces as a byproduct of the amino acid phenylalanine
They lift your mood, perception and awareness
Some foods with Phenylethylamine include chocolate, eggs, soybeans, nuts and seeds

I don’t know about you, but I was particularly happy to see chocolate on the list of happy foods! I’m just scratching the surface with mood-boosting foods and am sure there is a much longer list than I’ve provided here.

Are there any foods that boost your mood?

Not an official Happster yet? Get free happy notes here: http://tinyurl.com/imahappster

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Sources:

omega-3 fatty acids: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=84

Mood Boosting Foods: http://www.elliekrieger.com/mood-boosting-foods

The Top 10 Natural Sources of Vitamin D in Food: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/sources-of-vitamin-d-in-foods#slide-5

Foods with Phenylethylamine: http://www.livestrong.com/article/528433-foods-with-phenylethylamine

Top Ten Happy Foods: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/joybauernutrition/top-ten-happy-foods

Have you ever heard the phrase “you are who your friends are”? My mom used to say that when I was young and it always stuck with me. Once I grew up, I started to realize just how true that statement is. Along those same lines is a quote by Jim Rohn that reads “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

So you want to live a happy & positive life? Being friends with negative people is certainly not going to assist you in that goal. Try to spend the majority of your time with positive people. Happiness is contagious. High-energy people will lift you up, while people who tend to be negative will bring out your cynical side.

Stay Happy!

Not an official Happster yet? Join us here: http://tinyurl.com/imahappster

Tag: people

Top Foods That Make You Happy

Happiness Tip: Spend Time with Positive People