Mood control: food, neurotransmitters and calm recovery
Website design By BotEap.comYou and I know that we cannot always control what happens in our lives, but we can control how we respond to them. However, what happens when you have a bad week, your perimenopause or premenstrual? Well, science might have an answer.
Website design By BotEap.comLet me introduce you to the world of brain chemistry and a powerful group of natural chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The communication network in your brain is a multibillion-dollar maze of connections capable of performing 20 million trillion calculations per second. Yes, I said 20 billion!
Website design By BotEap.comHow does this intricate network work? Well, there are three main players:
Fish such as salmon, raw tuna, and flounder.
Chicken without skin, eggs and turkey.
Small amounts of red meat.
Beans, chickpeas and lentils.
Website design By BotEap.comAerobic exercise and dopamine levels.
Website design By BotEap.comIf you need to temporarily lower your dopamine levels to relax, non-competitive aerobic exercise (why non-competitive? Competition increases dopamine levels) might help, for example:
Whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and corn.
Good quality breads, pastas and bagels.
Vegetables like potatoes and zucchini.
Simple sugar.
Website design By BotEap.comExercise and serotonin
Website design By BotEap.comTo control serotonin you need less vigorous exercise such as:
- Neurons, which feed the message,
- Neurotransmitters, which create the message and
- Receivers, who receive the message.
- Running and walking for effective health benefits.
- Skipping.
- Rowing in the gym.
- Vigorous cycling in the gym or on a stationary bike at home.
- Strolling in the park or on your favorite beach.
- Gentle biking along a river bank or flat bike paths.
- Stretching exercises.
- Gentle yoga.
- Read.
- Listening to music.
- Meditation and even prayer (the best type of prayer to control serotonin levels is a prayer of gratitude).