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7 Ways To Boost Your Mood… Naturally!

7 Ways To Boost Your Mood… Naturally!

Sep 5th 2014

Here Are 7 Ways To Boost Your Mood… Naturally!

Have you ever had one of those days where you just don’t want to be in a good mood? Waking up on the wrong side of the bed is part of life, but it doesn't have to last. Simple activities like meditation, going for a walk or jamming out to your favorite song can all help relieve a sour mood.

 

Often times we turn to “comfort” food to put a smile on our face, but we all know that classic comfort dishes are not always the best thing for our health. Here are our Top 7 whole comfort foods that can kick that bad mood to the curb and make you feel great!

 


 
1. Chocolate
Sunfood Cacao PowderIn its purest form, Raw Cacao naturally contains mood enhancing chemicals like Anandamide – taken from the Sanskrit word ananda, meaning joy, bliss or delight. No wonder we feel amazing after a good chocolate indulgence!

 

You’ll want to stick with raw, unadulterated cacao though – popular candy bars and truffles contain a lot of refined sugars and additives that do more harm than good.

 

It’s actually super easy to make your own chocolate, check it out here: Simple Delicious Chocolate. Raw, dark, chocolate bliss is only a few minutes away!

 


 
2. Vitamin C

Sunfood Goji BerriesYou know it’s good for your immune system… but did you know that Vitamin C also has a positive effect on your brain? This powerful antioxidant has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms by helping the body stop the buildup of free radicals and quickly recover from stress1. Impressive, right?

 

All you need is a handful of Goji Berries, or add a teaspoon of Camu Camu Powder into your smoothie to get that C boost you need!

 


 
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Sunfood Chia SeedsBy now you have heard that you need Omega-3 fatty acids for a balanced diet, but you also need them for a balanced happy brain.

 

EPA and DHA are two crucial omega-3 fats that can actually help battle depression. These little mood-fighters go into the brain and help promote proper functioning of the neurotransmitters which regulate your mood2.

 

Getting your daily dose of Omega-3’s is simple! Add a serving of Sacha Inchi Protein Powder to your favorite smoothie, throw some Chia Seeds on top of that salad or try this delicious hemp milk latte!

 


 
4. Aromatherapy

Sunfood MSM Lotion, Coconut RoseIf you’ve ever had a relaxing massage, or light candles and incense after a long day-- you know that the effects of certain smells can do the body good. This is called aromatherapy.

 

The scent of Lavender has been shown to decrease feelings of sadness or depression and increase relaxation,3 while Ylang Ylang has been found to significantly increase calmness4.

 

Other popular aromas such as rose, vanilla and coconut also promote feelings of happiness and calmness.

 

Your ticket to relaxation doesn’t have to be a trip to the masseuse. Try using Lavender MSM Lotion on the bottom of your feet for a mini massage after a long day, Ylang Ylang and Orange MSM Lotion throughout the workday or Berry Vanilla MSM lotion after your bath/shower!

 


 
5. Tea

Sunfood Herbal Tea, Pau d'ArcoSometimes you just need a good cup of tea to reset your mood. Tea is generally made of powerful herbs that can help an array of issues with our minds and bodies.

 

Early medicine has suggested that Pau D’Arco attracts alpha rays, which give human cells a positive electrical charge – promoting feelings of happiness, clarity and positivity.

 

Cat’s Claw is known to relax soreness or tightness in the body, and when combined with vanilla can be extremely therapeutic.

 

Tea can be enjoyed at any time of day! Here at Sunfood HQ, we love to indulge in our aromatic Tea-licious herbal blend… mmmm!  

 


 
6. Honey

WeeBee HoneySweet, sticky, delicious honey! Other than being far better for you than refined sugars, honey contains kaempferol and quercetin, which are phytochemicals that have the ability to prevent depression and keep your brain healthy5!

 

Combined, these precious neuro-heroes reduce inflammation in the brain, promoting clear thinking and happy thoughts!

 

Did you know that honey can replace refined sugar in most recipes? In fact, you don’t even have to use as much! It can also be used with savory ingredients to create a delicious snack experience!

 


 
7. Antioxidants

Sunfood Maqui Berry PowderWe already covered vitamins and well known phytochemicals, but let’s talk about another group of antioxidants… flavonoids. This group of powerful compounds has been scientifically proven to have memory and mood enhancing properties.

 

You see, cumulative damage from free radicals occurs throughout the body but is especially present in memory decline, slowing of body movements and the fatigue, irritability, and mood disturbance that mark depression6. Flavonoids kick these free radicals to the curb!

 

Want a colorful, flavonoid-packed boost to your daily regimen? Maqui Berries pack a punch and turn everything purple! Plus they’re delicious! Try whole berries or powder! For super-immunity anytime, add a pinch of Goji Berry Powder to smoothies, juices or hot water!

 


 

Don’t let your bad mood get the best of you! Try one of our favorite feel-good snacks and get back to yourself in no time!

 

Sunfood Cacao Nibs

Sunfood
Cacao Nibs
1lb

$18.95

Sunfood Goji Berries

Sunfood
Goji Berries
1lb

$25.95

Sunfood Camu Camu Powder

Sunfood
Camu Camu
Powder, 3.5oz

$22.95

Sunfood Chia Seeds

Sunfood
Chia Seeds
1lb

$13.99

Sunfood Chia Seed Powder

Sunfood
Chia Seed Powder
1lb

$14.95

Sunfood Hemp Seeds

Sunfood
Hemp Seeds
1lb

$21.95

Sunfood Sacha Inchi Powder

Sunfood
Sacha Inchi
Powder, 8oz

$13.95

Sunfood MSM Lotion, Coconut Rose

Sunfood
MSM Lotion
Coconut Rose
8oz

$12.95

Sunfood MSM Lotion, Orange & Ylang Ylang

Sunfood
MSM Lotion
Orange & Ylang
Ylang, 8oz

$12.95

Sunfood MSM Lotion, Berry Vanilla

Sunfood
MSM Lotion
Berry Vanilla
8oz

$12.95

Sunfood MSM Lotion, Lavender

Sunfood
MSM Lotion
Lavender
8oz

$12.95

WeeBee Honey

WeeBee
Honey
16oz

$9.95

Sunfood Maqui Berry Powder

Sunfood
Maqui Berry
Powder, 8oz

$34.95

Sunfood Maqui Berries

Sunfood
Maqui Berries
4oz

$17.95

Sunfood Goji Berry Powder

Sunfood
Goji Berry Powder
8oz

$19.95

Sunfood Herbal Tea, Cat's Claw

Sunfood
Tea, Cat's Claw
3.5oz

$12.95

Sunfood Herbal Tea, Pau d'Arco

Sunfood
Tea, Pau d'Arco
3.5oz

$12.95

1—Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide: Stress, University of Maryland Medical Center, Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; July 2012
2—Omega-3 DHA and EPA for cognition, behavior, and mood: clinical findings and structural-functional synergies with cell membrane phospholipids. Kidd.PM; 2007
3—Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns of alertness and math computations. Diego MA1, Jones NA, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, McAdam V, Galamaga R, Galamaga ; 1998
4—Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. Moss M, Hewitt S, Moss L, Wesnes K; 2008
5— Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flavonoids: Genistein, Kaempferol, Quercetin, and Daidzein Inhibit STAT-1 and NF-κB Activations, Whereas Flavone, Isorhamnetin, Naringenin, and Pelargonidin Inhibit only NF-κB Activation along with Their Inhibitory Effect on iNOS Expression and NO Production in Activated Macrophages Mari Hämäläinen Riina Niemine Pia Vuorela Marina Heinonen Eeva Moilanen; 2007
6—The impact of fruit flavonoids on memory and cognition, British Journal of Nutrition, 104 Spencer, J.P; 2010