8 simple rules of the "happiness diet" for a great mood and a perfect figure
Usually, a diet implies a rejection of the usual lifestyle and it is very difficult to maintain a good mood in such a situation. But there is a way to get the figure of your dreams and at the same time feel like a happy person. We offer 8 rules, observing which you can effectively lose weight, while simultaneously receiving positive emotions, and at any time of the year.
Happiness or unhappiness is considered to be abstract concepts. Someone needs a lot of money for happiness, someone needs a loved one nearby, and someone just wants to be healthy. Scientists have been puzzling over what happiness is for more than a century and, it seems, they are very close to getting an answer to this question.
It is already absolutely known that happiness cannot be measured by money and even a very well-off person can be deeply unhappy and dissatisfied with life. The secret of happiness is in ourselves, that is, in our body, which is able to synthesize endorphins-neurotransmitters that are commonly called "happiness hormones".
It is endorphins that are responsible for the feeling of satisfaction, love, all positive emotions, and therefore they make us happy. At the same time, we are able to stimulate the production of these neurotransmitters using the simplest method — a special nutrition technique. Nutritionists, neurophysiologists and endocrinologists know perfectly well what our body needs for happiness and have prepared 8 simple recommendations regarding nutrition and lifestyle.
Authoritative nutritionist Kate Callahan claims that our mood directly depends on the state of the intestines. It is in this organ that up to 95% of the hormone serotonin is located, which gives us the joy of life. A healthy intestine is incompatible with stress, and in order to take care of its excellent condition, it is necessary to include sauerkraut, Greek yogurt, kefir and kombucha in your diet.
These products break down sugar and starch, creating fermentation. At the same time, a lot of useful substances are released, among which lactic acid occupies a special place. This substance promotes the production of beneficial intestinal bacteria and normalizes acidity. In stressful situations, such help is simply necessary for our body. Callahan does not require that we eat only sauerkraut and yogurt — one cup of fermented foods a day is enough.
It has been proven that polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids contained in seafood are excellent for improving mood. Therefore, the fatter the gifts of the sea, the more positively they affect you. Seafood helps our brain to cope with stress, and in addition, they have the property of stopping inflammatory processes.
The diet should include salmon, mackerel, sardines. If you do not like sea fish or it is contraindicated for some reason, then there is also a way out-grass — fed beef contains tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin. These products are best consumed at least 4 times a week, so that the effect on mood is maximum.
We think that sweet things can make us happy, but they are not. It destroys the reserves of minerals and vitamins in our body, negatively affects the state of the microflora and is seen in many other "dirty tricks". Sugar and all the products in which it is contained, it is better to completely remove it from the diet.
But our body still can't do without glucose, so instead of cakes and sweets, you need to introduce vegetables and starchy fruits into your diet. Sweet potatoes (sweet potatoes) and bananas are ideal for the role of sugar substitutes. And in order to receive sufficient amounts of tryptophan-an amino acid that is converted into serotonin in the body, it is necessary to eat pine nuts, corn, soybeans, peanuts, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and all types of meat.
Many people, having started eating vegetables and fruits in sufficient quantities, were surprised to notice that their mood improved significantly. The effect manifests itself the very next day after changing the diet. But we must remember that only non-processed foods work this way — fitness bars with dried apricots and muesli with raisins will no longer work this way.
For a good mood, you need to eat fresh vegetables and fruits 7 times a day, in pure form, in salads, freshly squeezed juices or smoothies. Yes, it has been noticed that people who themselves clean and cut the gifts of nature for salads are less prone to depression than those who prefer ready-made cuts.
Although meditation does not relate directly to nutrition, in combination with a properly selected diet, it can make us more positive. Clinical psychologist Paula Watkins from Harvard University conducted an experiment in which volunteers meditated according to a specially developed program for 27 minutes daily.
During hugs, our body produces oxytocin — the so-called "molecules of love and morality". With an increase in the level of this substance, we become more friendly to others, more generous and trusting. It is oxytocin that helps women in labor to endure pain, as well as to love their child and establish that invisible connection with him.
Scientists also believe that hugs can to some extent replace communication in social networks, but certainly friendly and positive. Also, attractions like "roller coasters"have a good effect on our mood. Our brain perceives the game situation as a real threat to life and urgently stimulates the production of oxytocin, which helps to start communicating and get "allies" in the fight against the threat. Another way to get oxytocin is to have vaginal sex.
It has been experimentally established that serotonin is much better synthesized by the body in good light. But in the twilight, melatonin is better produced, which is responsible, among other things, for seasonal depression and lack of desire to communicate with other people, including the opposite sex.
Statistics show that in countries with a harsh climate, where solar activity is low throughout the year, the suicide rate is higher, and the birth rate, on the contrary, is reduced. In order not to fall into depression and remain positive and sociable, it is necessary not to save light in the autumn-winter period and artificially increase the duration of daylight.
Physical activity is an indispensable thing in the formation of human happiness. Playing sports helps to stimulate the production of endorphins, make us more positive and muffle painful sensations. The mechanism of the effect of exercises on our consciousness is very unusual.
It turns out that our brain does not understand that we run and lift weights for our own pleasure. From the point of view of evolution, such activity is irrational. Therefore, the brain believes that the load is associated with our salvation from danger and provides us with serious support, for example, gives a large dose of serotonin, which helps to cope with the feeling of fear. Therefore, even 20 minutes of sports can give us euphoria, which will be felt for at least 2 hours.
Keywords: Hormones | Diet | Seafood | Vegetables | Proper nutrition | Fear | Happiness | Emotions