Recommended for you

8 Ways You Can Keep Up With Your Mental Health When You Head Back To College

Start writing a post

Featured

5 Ways To Boost Serotonin

Boost your mood naturally to become happier, calmer, and more focused.

Hannah Downey

Oct 03, 2021

Ohio University

1666

Hannah Downey

Serotonin is a chemical produced by cells that send signals between nerve cells.

Serotonin impacts the body from emotions all the way to motor skills. It affects things as simple as sleeping, eating, and digesting, as well as reducing anxiety and depression, increasing bone health, and healing wounds.

In terms of mental health, serotonin boosts and regulates your mood naturally. When the body has normal serotonin levels, you will be happier, calmer, and more focused. Sounds great, right? Here is how you can boost your serotonin:

1. Switch up your diet

Giphy

Many foods contain serotonin in them, as well as tryptophan (the amino acid that serotonin is made from,) such as pineapples, eggs, and cheese. Adding these into your diet will increase the number of amino acids in your body and allow you to create more serotonin.

Tomorrow morning, make yourself a serotonin-boosting breakfast. Cut up some pineapple, scramble some eggs, and pair with some healthy carbs, such as a bowl of oatmeal. Pair this meal with a cup of your favorite coffee, juice, or tea to start your day off right.

2. Go outside

Giphy

Sunlight has been proven to increase serotonin levels. Sunlight may actually be one of the most beneficial sources of serotonin. The vitamin D our bodies get from the sun allows us to convert the tryptophan into serotonin. Even on a cloudy day, getting that natural light will be beneficial for our serotonin levels and mental health.

After you make that yummy breakfast, take it outside and set up a picnic for yourself. Soak in the morning sunshine before it turns 100 degrees and the last thing you want to do is step into the heat.

3. Listen to music

Giphy

Listening to music that makes us happy releases serotonin into our brain to boost our mood. Maybe even have a dance party with friends, or by yourself to some music you love

Of course, at your picnic, you'll need something to listen to. You could always listen to the music of the birds chirping, but if you're like me, I think you'd prefer some Harry Styles or Frank Ocean. Whatever you choose, enjoy the music.

4. Think of positive memories

Giphy

Thinking of the times when you were nothing but happy can release serotonin into your brain to create a positive mood. Focusing on the positive things in our lives can distract us from adverse events going on and increase serotonin production.

After the song you queued, maybe a song that you and your dad listen to before getting onto your favorite rollercoaster comes on. Don't skip it. Listen to that song and reminisce about how happy you guys are before getting on that rollercoaster every year.

5. Exercise

Giphy

So you have finished your breakfast, but you're not quite ready to go back inside yet? Don't. Clear your picnic and get in some exercise. Do some yoga on the picnic blanket, go for a walk, or even a swim.

Trying one or all of these things may help you to become happier and healthier. Take some time from your day to work on you.

Report this Content

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

32131

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

95869

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

5 Ways To Boost Serotonin

Boost your mood naturally to become happier, calmer, and more focused.

1. Switch up your diet

2. Go outside

3. Listen to music

4. Think of positive memories

5. Exercise

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Featured

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter