To Improve Your Mood: Boost Your Dopamine
Dopamine is a crucial brain neurotransmitter that helps control movement, attention, learning, and emotional responses. As a part of your neurological reward system, dopamine plays a significant role in regulating your mood and motivation, and low levels can lead to decreased enthusiasm for many daily activities. A severe deficiency of this chemical is known to contribute to ADHD and Parkinson's disease.
Here are some simple ways to maintain healthy amounts of dopamine.
EAT LOTS OF PROTEIN: Certain amino acids that make up the proteins in food are necessary for dopamine production, so it's important to eat plenty of protein-rich foods. Turkey, eggs, legumes, quinoa, almonds, and dairy are great sources of protein to help keep your dopamine levels high.
EXERCISE OFTEN: Being active boosts mental health in a variety of ways, and dopamine is no exception. Research suggests that regular exercise can raise dopamine levels in your brain and help improve your mood.
PRIORITIZE SLEEP: Ideally, large amounts of dopamine are released in the morning to help you wake up, and levels fall in the evening to prepare your body for sleep. However, not getting enough sleep throws off these natural rhythms and reduces your brain's sensitivity to dopamine.
LISTEN TO MUSIC: Similar to how listening to a good song can give you chills, music can actually stimulate the release of dopamine in your brain. Try listening to music you love to help increase your dopamine levels.
GET ENOUGH SUNLIGHT: While time spent soaking in the sun should be done in moderation (and with sunscreen), it is a surefire way to increase dopamine as well as other mood-boosting chemicals.