It’s wintertime again, and along with the lower temperatures and the holidays, winter also brings with it those unpredictable days of being afflicted with the “winter blues.” Even the happiest among us can get a little down with the decreased sunlight—and to make the decreased sunlight a bigger problem, we’re all wrapped up in layers, so we’ve got less skin exposed to absorb that sunlight and turn it into Vitamin D, which is one of many chemicals and vitamins with proven ties to mood. It’s a phenomenon known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known by the rather belittling acronym SAD.
If you’re like us and find yourself in need of a little extra something to help with your mood and energy each winter, here are some proven natural mood-enhancers you can find at any provider of health foods in Poplar Bluff, MO. You can safely add these ingredients to your diet, and after a few weeks, you’ll notice significant improvement to your mood—roughly equivalent to the type of improvement you notice when you start exercising regularly. If you improve your diet and exercise at the same time, you can double your gains.
Cacao beans
Cacao beans are packed with polyphenols and magnesium, which provide mood-enhancing effects by increasing blood flow to the brain, thereby increasing focus and concentration. Cacao beans also contain anandamide, which can create low levels of euphoria. Together these effects can help your mood stay elevated, and keep you focused on the task at hand, all through the winter.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon’s benefits are comparatively well known. It has proven benefits in helping maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels, which makes it something of a wonder, given that diabetes and blood pressure issues often go hand in hand, and are a relatively common combination in Americans. In addition, cinnamon makes you more alert and has benefits for your memory as well, meaning it’ll put you in a better mood and help you deal with anxiety and irritability.
Ginger
For starters, ginger, much like the next item on the list, has very powerful pain-fighting abilities. It has shown benefits in fighting the pain of arthritis, migraines and other chronic types of pain. It does this by increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which means that with the decrease in pain comes noticeable improvements in your mood.
Turmeric
Turmeric is rich with curcumin, an ultra-powerful anti-inflammatory, that among its other benefits regulates blood pressure and blood sugar, fights cancer, decreases the intensity of depression and can also slow the degeneration of nerves and brains in patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Mix it into hot water with your morning tea and add a bit of honey. The benefits will be noticeable after a few weeks.
Vanilla bean
Vanilloid, which as the name suggests is a chemical in vanilla bean, is another anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogen. It’s anti-anxiety effects are so powerful that it has even proven effective in helping people deal with sudden claustrophobia.
At The Bee Hive Natural Foods, we’re known as a haven for local health food enthusiasts. We’ve got a large selection of organic foods and superfoods, homeopathic supplies, teas, spices, herbs, oils and so much more. We’ve been in the business of health foods in Poplar Bluff, MO since 1979, and during all that time our deep commitment to providing only the most natural products of the highest quality has never changed. If you’re looking for some natural mood enhancing foods and herbs, or are just looking for a new place to buy health foods in Poplar Bluff, MO, please come in to The Bee Hive Natural Foods today. We’ve got a lot of experience and can help you find the products that will most improve your quality of life.