Mood-boosting foods to ease anxiety and depression

Have you been feeling sad or empty? Are you no longer interested in things you were once passion about? Do you have difficulty concentrating or sleeping? Have you noticed a decrease in energy or change in appetite? If you have been experiencing these symptoms for no specific reason nearly every day for at least two weeks, you may be experiencing anxiety or depression, according to the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
You are not alone. Approximately 40 million American adults are affected by an anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Whether you are experiencing a depressive disorder or are feeling blue due to loss, a break-up, or another traumatic event, there are many foods you can adopt as part of your regular diet to help boost your mood. 
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1. Sour Cherries. A lack of sleep can be a cause or a symptom of depression. This is why getting the recommended eight hours of sleep is so important for preventing and treating depression. Sour cherries are one of the best natural sleep aids. This is because they have high levels of melatonin, the chemical that signals your brain it is time to get some shut-eye. Muscle Health Fitness recommends drinking a glass of sour cherry juice or eating twenty tart cherries before bedtime to help induce deep, restorative sleep.  
2. Green Tea. Green tea contains a compound called L-theanine, which has psychoactive properties that reduce stress and increase dopamine levels in the brain. The best part? It does this without the mood-crushing crash that comes with caffeine. Everyday Roots recommends people suffering from depression drink a piping hot cup of green tea first thing in the morning.  
3. Fish. Have you ever wondered why pharmaceutical drugs like Prozac work? It's because they raise serotonin ("happy chemical") levels in your brain. What would you think if we told you some foods do this naturally? Salmon, trout, tilapia, flounder, and mackerel are just some of the species of fish that are especially high in B vitamins. B vitamins are known to impact serotonin, dopamine, and other mood-controlling chemicals. According to Everyday Roots, a vitamin B deficiency can sometimes be the cause of depression. 
4. Eggs. Start your day right with a hearty, healthy breakfast. Caring.com says the B vitamins and protein in egg yolks can actually improve the neural function in your brain that controls mood. Try them scrambled, poached, sunny-side up, or boiled. Any way you have them, eggs, and a protein-rich breakfast in general, can help set a positive mood for the rest of your day. 
5. Avocado. There's a reason avocado toast has become the latest food trend. According to Superhuman Coach, avocados are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that helps reduce stress and induce relaxation. 
6. Almonds. Almonds are a superfood. They contain B vitamin folate, the amino acid tyrosine, magnesium, and antioxidants. All of these elements are key to fighting depression. They also contain calcium, protein, and monounsaturated fats, according to Psychology Today. Eat a handful as a mid-afternoon snack or sprinkle them over yogurt or oatmeal in the morning. 
7. Pumpkin Seeds. Halloween pumpkins should bring a smile to anyone's face. Instead of tossing the seeds this fall, keep them for autumn cheer year-round. Everyday Roots explains eating a cup of pumpkin seeds everyday can increase your magnesium intake, and thus help keep you light and happy. 
8. Dark chocolate. This is the life hack we were all hoping for. According to Muscle Health Fitness, cocoa increases serotonin levels in the brain. If you eat too much however, you can suffer a sugar crash. Try treating yourself to a square or two of 70% or higher dark chocolate for dessert.  
A healthy diet is key to a healthy mind. For breakfast tomorrow, make yourself avocado toast sprinkled with almonds and pumpkin seeds. Top your mood-boosting breakfast with a poached egg. Don't forget to substitute your morning coffee with green tea and you'll be saying goodbye to depression in no time! 
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Which foods do you find are the best for fighting depression? Tell us and SHARE this article on social media! 
RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.