HEALTHY HABITS: 7 FOODS THAT BEAT THE BLUES

I know that soaking up some sunshine always helps me to lighten up, and catching up on sleep allows me to de-stress too.

 I was browsing the web as usual and I actually came across some really great stuff!

 Take a peek below and get ready to be pleasantly surprised!

1. Stressed? Chew on chocolate! Expert health and nutrition blogs like Livestrong say that nibbling on this yummy treat can help reduce stress hormones that can make you moody. Even eating just a tiny bit has proven to reduce anxiety and keep you level headed. Dark chocolate is more effective (and healthier) at reducing stress than milk chocolate, so remember that when you need a sweet pick-me-up!
2. Sluggish? Snack on a spinach salad! Besides being amazing for your health, spinach will also give you an energy boost in the middle of the school day or workday. These leaves have yummy nutrients that help increase blood flow to your brain and help you to recall information, according to WomansDay.com. Eat up to be strong, smart, and alert… just like Popeye! LOL.
3. Cranky? Eat an apple with peanut butter! I know I get cranky when I haven’t eaten in a while, and sometimes feeling grumpy just means you need a little snack. Apple slices with peanut butter are a great way to boost your mood because this snack won’t give you a sugar crash (it only has natural sugars) and the peanut butter has healthy proteins that will increase your energy levels too.
4. Anxious? Try a salmon burger! Ok, I know this one is random, but there’s truth behind it, according to Health.com! Salmon is a really good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are nutrients that will help to calm you down during the day. In fact, regularly eating foods with omega-3s has even been proven to keep you a happy camper! A salmon burger is a yummy way to switch up a traditional American hamburger. Add some veggies and toppings and you’ll basically be eating away anxiety…in a good way! So cool!
5. Angry? Sip on green tea! I think green tea is a really refreshing drink, and I like to pour mine over ice on a hot afternoon. I’ve read about so many benefits of this drink, including lowering your cholesterol, preventing cancer, and giving you a healthy dose of antioxidants. But little did I know that it actually helps to keep you calm, concentrated, and focused too. If you’re angry about something and it keeps bugging you in the back of your mind all day, grab a green tea, take a deep breath, and say ahhhh…
6. Sad? Munch of a bowl of cereal! Ok, first of all, I don’t want any of you to be sad…ever! I want you to always have smiles on your pretty little faces :) But for those downer days when you do need a little happiness boost, a bowl of healthy cereal and milk can do just the trick. Sometimes we get sad because our bodies aren’t getting the right vitamins. Vitamin D, which is in milk and healthy cereals, helps to promote happy thoughts in your brain. According to Shape, not getting enough Vitamin D throughout the day can really bum you out, so drink up! A good way to give your body this boost every day is to have a good ol’ bowl of cereal for breakfast.
7. PMSing? Make an egg-salad sandwich! All you ladies out there, this one’s for you. You might automatically reach for ice cream or salty chips to cure your cravings when it’s that time of the month, but these foods can actually make you feel grumpier because they don’t give your body the right nutrition. An egg-salad sandwich on whole grain toast should be your new best-PMS-food-friend. Eggs have happiness-boosting nutrients, and healthy carbs like whole grain breads are a healthy, alternative way to satisfy your cravings for bagels and chips.
   

 If I were you, I would bookmark this page and make it your go-to guide for when you need to beat the blues.

Well, what did you think!? What mood boosting food looks the yummiest to you? If you have any of your own tried-and-true tips for beating the blues, share them in the comments below!

xoxo
Sharlene