Anxiety, stress and depression are common problems among today’s generation. This all because of the work pressure and time-crunched lifestyle. Well, we cannot change this setup as we all work for our livelihood. But we can surely aim at solving to ailments, which can have a bad effect on our health. There are several types of foods that help in boosting our mood and keeping the symptoms of such problems at bay. Consuming them can ease our stress and lift up the spirit. So, let us take a look at a few of them.

1. Strawberries, Oranges, Lemons and Mangoes

Vitamin C is a powerful nutrient for sure. Till now all we know about vitamin C is its ability to boost immunity by keeping infections at bay. However, this super antioxidant is also helpful I improving your mood. Studies have shown that foods rich in vitamin C like strawberries, lemon, oranges and mangoes lessen the symptoms of depression, thus lifting up the spirit. This is so because vitamin C hinders the growth of free radicals, which lead to stress and depression. So, start your day with a bowl of fruits rich in vitamin C and stay happy the entire day.

To know more about the health benefits of lemons, click here.

2. Barley

Now that you have begun your day with a powerful dose of vitamin C, why should your afternoon go dull and depressing? Just incorporate barley in your diet. You can either consume it in form of chapatti, as daliya or in the form of baked cookies. Instead of having something, which is loaded with fat content, opt for barley. This fat makes you feel sleepy and drowsy. Basically, barley is a complex carbohydrate, which enables the brain to produce serotonin, which the hormone for boosting good mood. Moreover, barley is rich in fiber content and so is good for promoting good metabolism as well.

Barley is helpful in aiding good digestion. To delve deep, click here.

3. Celery

Dieticians and heath experts suggest that the dinner should be the lightest meal of your day, the breakfast being the most filling one. So, celery is a good option for dinner. Of course, you can’t consume celery sticks just like that. So, incorporate it in your salads, curries or as garnish. Celery helps in releasing stress and allows the blood vessels to relax. As per a research, celery consists of 3-n-butylphthalide, a chemical responsible for reducing the number of stress related hormone in the blood. This further allows you to de-stress and feel relaxed.

4. Walnuts and Pumpkin Seeds

Now that your three important meals have been taken care of, it is time to concentrate on what you munch. Mid-meal cravings also play an important role so it is essential to consume something, which is good for your health and eases your stress. A handful of walnuts and pumpkin seeds is definitely a good option for such cravings. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been universally known to boost good mood.

Walnuts are also good for heart. To know how, click here.

5. Raw Chocolate

According to researchers and dieticians, chocolate is definitely the best ingredient to promote good mood. So, next time whenever you feel a bit low or stressed, just bite into this brown sinful delight. It happens because chocolate in its raw form is rich in the love chemical (phenylethylamine), the bliss chemical (anandamide) and theobromine. All these chemicals together are responsible for lifting up the spirit.

So, incorporate raw cocoa in your desserts, cakes, smoothies and shakes.

6. Milk

Milk is universally known to be a powerful ingredient, packed with several health and beauty benefits. But, this white colored liquid is also known for boosting good mood. Milk is rich in protein content, which consists of tryptophan. This chemical is responsible for releasing of the happy hormone called serotonin in the brain. Moreover, carbohydrates and vitamin D present in milk as also known to possess anti-depressant qualities. Lastly, milk is a good source of calcium, which has the ability to reduce anxiety levels.