Mental Health: 5 ways to boost your serotonin naturally

• Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in your brain which is responsible for regulating your mood

• Let’s check out more about serotonin and how you can boost it naturally

Serotonin is a component in the brain which regulates your mood, happiness and your anxiety. It is associated with depression, panic and anxiety disorder. Mental illnesses could be a result of decreased serotonin in your brain. Your brain produces happy and sad hormones (in simple language), that decides your mood and behaviour. Serotonin is also responsible for cognition, memory and learning. This is a key hormone which impacts not only your brain but your overall body. It plays a major role in your mental health. Serotonin gives you a feeling of well-being and happiness. Extreme high or low levels of serotonin is not healthy. There should be a balance of this hormone in your body. Low level of serotonin can cause depression and extremely high level of serotonin results in decreased arousal, high blood pressure and restlessness. It also stimulates the part of your brain that controls waking and sleeping.

When your serotonin levels are normal you are more likely to feel calm, relaxed, happy and focused. Behavioural disorders can be a result of decreased serotonin.  If you suspect that your serotonin levels are decreasing or increasing beyond normal, then you must definitely visit a psychiatrist. Seeing a doctor and following the prescribed treatment is a must in such cases. One can also increase their serotonin levels naturally at the initial stage if paid good attention to. You must make notes of your behaviour and work towards the betterment of it.

5 ways to boost your serotonin:

1. Exercise- Exercising releases tryptophan in your blood. You must work to get your heart rate up. Try doing Aerobics or Zumba for the best results. Working out produces happy hormones in your brain and keeps your brain functioning smoothly. You can also try swimming, jogging or hiking, whichever makes you feel adventurous and excited.

2. Sun- Bright light and sunshine increases the amount of serotonin in your brain which helps in lightening up your mood making you feel relaxed. You must spend at least 30 minutes in the sun every day so that your serotonin levels are normal and you don’t end up suffering from depression and other related mood disorders.

3. Deep-tissue massage- Deep-tissues massages help in releasing stress and calming you down. They are highly advised if you have been feeling tensed and stressed out for a long time now. At least 20 minutes of massage therapy is required to get rid of your anxiety and stress. It produces serotonin and lightens up your mood.

4. Food- It is impossible to directly get serotonin from food products. But there are some tryptophan-rich foods that will in turn increase the level of happy hormones in your body. You must consume foods like brown rice, oatmeal, milk, cheese, nuts, wheat bread and pineapple to normalising your serotonin levels naturally.

5. Meditation- Meditation accompanied by breathing exercises is the key to a healthy mind. It calms down and relaxed the nerves of your brain. It increases the release of serotonin and creates a feeling of inner peace.