Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter released in the brain. These neurotransmitters control what kinds of moods and feelings we experience. Serotonin levels can have an effect on pain, stress and anxiety experienced by individuals. Low levels of serotonin can also cause or contribute to depression, according to NaturalNews.com. Serotonin can be influenced by synthetic drugs, but there are many natural processes you can do on your own to boost serotonin levels.
Exercise
NaturalNews.com reports that regular exercise helps to naturally boost neurotransmitter activity in the brain. It doesn't take rigorous workouts--simple exercises like a daily walk or yoga workouts can have an impact. An ideal exercise length ranges between 30 and 60 minutes--workouts much longer than this run the risk of depleting serotonin levels in the body. Try to exercise for about 3 to 5 days each week.
Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep time is when your body produces hormones which your brain uses to synthesize serotonin. When you don't sleep enough each night or are disrupted throughout the night, hormone production can be interrupted in ways that lead to a reduction in serotonin levels. NaturalNews.com reports that seven hours of sleep is a good minimum amount of sleep needed for most people to maintain healthy serotonin levels, though this can vary among individuals. You can improve the quality of sleep you get by using certain activities--such as reading prior to bedtime or dimming the lights--to prepare your body for sleep. Magnesium and calcium or tryptophan taken shortly before bed can also boost hormone and neurotransmitter production while you sleep.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Proper nutrition is key to your body's efficient production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Your meals should routinely feature a balanced array of fruits and vegetables, proteins, grains, dairy and even fats. You can eliminate unhealthy products like pesticides from your diet by purchasing organic foods--processed foods and the unhealthy ingredients used to make them, such as refined flours and sugars and hydrogenated oils, should be avoided. Fats should be consumed from healthy, natural sources--animals fats are not desirable, but flaxseed and olive oils are unrefined, natural fats that can be used to produce hormones and neurotransmitters.
Get Out In the Sun
When sunlight hits your skin, it signals your body to stop the production of melatonin and start producing serotonin. Absorbing sunlight into the skin--possibly while exercising--will help increase your mood and energy levels.
