School got you down? With the semester slowly coming to an end, exams and final papers are creeping up and turning the stress meter on full blast. Don’t worry, though — VALLEY has found the best cure for your end of the semester blues … food!
Fruit
It is no secret that certain foods can boost your mood and make you a happy camper — chocolate lovers can all agree on this. According to the NCBI Journal for Nutrition, certain foods can literally enhance your mood with regular consumption. Fruit being one of the number one foods that can help aid and lower the risk of depression. Among all of the fruit choices, bananas and açaí berries are packed with antioxidants that can improve your metabolism and overall mood over time.
Fish
If you are a lover of all things seafood, you will be happy to hear that fish is one of the best sources of protein that can boost your mood. The fatty oils found in fish, especially tuna and salmon, are proven to help with mood regulation due to the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These two acids are important for mood stability and are even commonly found in depression and bipolar disorder medications, according to the NCBI Journal.
Chocolate
The next food is a no-brainer when it comes to mood boosters: chocolate … specifically dark chocolate. Besides the amazing taste that makes you salivate just thinking about it, dark chocolate has many health benefits besides improving your mood. In moderation, it can also help lower cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. In an interview with Reader’s Digest magazine, Rebecca Scritchfield, R.D. says that dark chocolate is proven to stimulate endorphin chemicals in the brain that can help elevate your mood. These endorphins can enhance Serotonin levels, commonly seen as an anti-depressant.
When people say “food is my best friend,” they may be on to something. With all the benefits these foods can offer, it is no wonder we are at our happiest when chowing down at The Corner Room with our friends or cuddling up to a piece of chocolate at night. While these foods are proven to help boost your mood, it is important to remember that food should not be your primary resource for happiness. VALLEY urges you to reach out to family, friends or resources on campus to help guide you towards a happier and healthier future.
