Ever had a day where you just don’t want to get out of bed, fearing whats to come of the day? Many people struggle daily with depression.

Heck I had postpartum depression with my first son and didn’t even realize it until half a year in. You’re not alone and I can tell you from experience…..It does get better.

With taking care of so many people in your life it can become a struggle to think of what to do for yourself when you are feeling really low.

I have broken down 6 foods & tips that have been proven to lift your mood that you can consume or do everyday.

Dark Chocolate- Eating chocolate always seems to lift peoples moods. Make sure its 70% pure cocoa to gain the benefits of increasing serotonin levels which act like an anti depressant in the brain. Having a few squares of dark chocolate a day increases your endorphin levels while you are eating, thus creating pleasure in the brain. Dark chocolate also helps lower your blood pressure overtime which is good for people who are also highly stressed out.

Get Outside- All too many people stay inside when they are feeling down, isolated and generally unhappy with their circumstances. Going outside to walk the dog, push the baby in the stroller, watch the kids play at the park or go sit alone in nature by a river or within a forest of trees will increases your mood level significantly. You don’t have to do anything extravagant but to just get out in the fresh air, soak up some vitamin D and get your feet moving.

Eat a Banana a Day to Keep The Blues Away- Did you know eating bananas is actually really good for your mood? Bananas naturally contain high amounts of B vitamins and potassium to increase energy which keep you pumped up for your day. If you don’t like eating them on their own, try blending them into a smoothie with peanut butter and almond milk. Bananas are also high in carbohydrates which is what people naturally crave when they are having low moods.

Cuppa Tea Anyone?- I don’t know about you but making a cup of tea for myself or getting one made for me is a comfort in itself. As kids what did your parents do when you were sick? why do you think so many people love soup when they are not feeling well? it all goes back to our experiences and making a cup of tea thats warm, comforting and usually involves a conversation is always my go to on a rough day. Tea also has different properties like Valerian root for anxiety/sleep, caffeine to perk you up and mood boosters like turmeric and saffron teas.

Fish Oil Everyday- Its no secret that fish oil rich in Omega 3 fatty acids have been good for our brain health, did you know  people who eat or take fish oil everyday are less likely to suffer from depression? While taking Vitamin D helps increase your serotonin level in the brain, the fish oil actually helps your body utilize the Serotonin to calm your moods, improve sleep and help you concentrate more efficiently.

Turkey Sandwich- The idea of having turkey reminds us all of thanksgiving and Christmas which is a fun time of year with family and celebrations. Turkey has high amounts of tryptophan which actually turns into serotonin later in the body. Tryptophan has been linked with improving sleep and is essential nutrient found in turkey, chicken, nuts, mushrooms, cheese and also bananas. Turkey contains high levels of tryptophan which help sedate our moods and actually make us sleepy after consuming large amounts. How about making yourself a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce and veggies for lunch or dinner today. It will bring peace, calm, contentedness and lift your mood for today.