How to Improve Your Mood & Energy

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a vibrant mood and sustained energy levels is essential for optimal well-being. Fortunately, numerous lifestyle choices and health interventions can significantly impact our mental state and vitality. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into various avenues to boost mood and energy, exploring the science-backed benefits of exercise, mood-enhancing foods, and targeted therapies like NAD+ IV Therapy and Cryotherapy. Discover how simple lifestyle changes and innovative treatments can play a pivotal role in enhancing your mood, elevating energy levels, and contributing to your overall mental and physical wellness.

How Does Exercise Improve Your Mood?

Exercise can significantly enhance mood through various physiological and psychological mechanisms. When you engage in physical activity, your body releases neurotransmitters like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. Endorphins act as natural painkillers and contribute to a feeling of euphoria, often referred to as a "runner's high." Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is also released during exercise, contributing to feelings of enjoyment and motivation. Additionally, serotonin, which regulates mood, sleep, and appetite, is increased, leading to reduced feelings of anxiety and depression.

Exercise also promotes the release of other chemicals like norepinephrine, which moderates the brain's response to stress, helping to improve mood and reduce feelings of tension. Physical activity stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports the growth and health of nerve cells, contributing to improved mental health.

Moreover, regular exercise can foster a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, and social interaction, especially when done in a group setting or with friends. These factors collectively contribute to an overall improvement in mood and emotional well-being.

Foods That Improve Mood

Several foods are known to positively influence mood due to their nutritional content and impact on brain chemistry. Some of these mood-boosting foods include:

1. Fatty Fish: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines can help support brain health and reduce symptoms of depression.
2. Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are packed with antioxidants and flavonoids that may help enhance mood and cognitive function.
3. Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and compounds that can increase serotonin levels in the brain, potentially improving mood.
4. Bananas: Rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6 and potassium, bananas can aid in the production of serotonin, promoting relaxation and mood improvement.
5. Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants, supporting brain health and mood regulation.
6. Leafy Greens: Vegetables like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are excellent sources of folate, which may help alleviate symptoms of depression.
7. Fermented Foods: Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut support gut health, potentially influencing mood through the gut-brain connection.
8. Whole Grains: Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and oats contain nutrients such as magnesium and tryptophan, which may help stabilize mood.
9. Turmeric: Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that might contribute to improved mood.
10. Avocados: Rich in healthy fats and nutrients like vitamin E and folate, avocados may support brain health and enhance mood.

Feel like you may be sensitive to some of the foods listed above? If you experience bloating, skin problems, joint pain, or sluggishness, you may be dealing with a food sensitivity and subsequent inflammation. Take a Next Health Food Sensitivity Test to optimize your diet for your mood, energy, and overall health.

Supplements to Improve Mood

There are science-backed vitamins and minerals to improve your mood, here are just a few:

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil capsules or algae-based supplements for vegetarians and vegans, contain EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which can support brain health and potentially alleviate symptoms of depression.
2. Vitamin D: Adequate levels of vitamin D are essential for overall health. Some research suggests that low vitamin D levels might be linked to mood disorders, and supplementation may help improve mood, particularly in individuals with deficiencies.
3. B Vitamins: Vitamins B6, B12, and folate (B9) play a role in neurotransmitter synthesis. Deficiencies in these vitamins have been associated with mood disturbances, and supplementing may help support mood regulation.
4. Saffron: Saffron extract has shown potential in some studies to alleviate symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression. It's considered a promising natural supplement for improving mood.
5. St. John's Wort: This herbal supplement has been used traditionally to manage symptoms of depression. However, its effectiveness varies among individuals, and it can interact with certain medications, so caution is advised.
6. Magnesium: Adequate magnesium levels are important for overall health, and some studies suggest that magnesium supplementation might have a beneficial effect on mood, particularly in individuals with deficiencies.

If you’re looking for a high-qualitysupplements, consider VITABOOM's custom supplement stacks targeted to your specific goals.

IV Therapy for Mood & Energy

Maintaining optimal nutrient levels is crucial for supporting healthy mood and sustained energy levels. Astonishingly, approximately 90% of Americans suffer from vitamin deficiencies, with the majority unaware of their nutritional gaps. Despite this, over 70% of Americans rely on daily supplements. This paradox is a result of the declining nutrient content in our food today, influenced by several factors. Modern farming practices prioritize high yields, depleting soil of crucial nutrients, while crops are often cultivated for appearance and durability, compromising their nutritional density. Further, premature harvesting and extended storage decrease nutrient levels in fresh produce. Food processing and cooking methods also contribute by stripping away essential nutrients. Environmental changes and pollution negatively impact the soil's ability to supply nutrients to crops. This collective effect has significantly reduced the nutritional quality of our food. To address this issue, individuals can choose organic and locally sourced produce, diversify their diet, and consider supplements to bridge nutrient gaps. Supporting sustainable farming practices is crucial for revitalizing nutrient-rich soil, thereby enhancing the nutritional value of our food.

This is why IV Therapy is often needed for optimal health. IV therapy has been popularized as the fastest way to deliver medications into the bloodstream to help with various health conditions, dehydration, and blood transfusions. Now, it is available to ensure maximum absorption of essential vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes to optimize your health.

By delivering powerful vitamins and nutrients directly into your bloodstream through IV therapy, your body can effectively utilize these building blocks to take your health to the next level.

At Next Health, all IV drips start with a Myers Cocktail Base: a potent combination of electrolytes, B-complex, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and other nourishing ingredients that effectively supplement your IV experience.

For mood and energy, we recommend the Energy Plus IV or the Stress IV.

The Energy Plus IV is best for:

• When you're feeling fatigued, burnt out, or low on energy
• Before or after a demanding workout or physical activity
• If you're facing a busy day or long work hours and need sustained energy
• Prior to a sports event, competition, or athletic challenge
• During travel to combat jet lag and stay energized
• Whenever you need a natural and effective energy boost

The Stress IV is best  when you’re:

• Amidst overwhelm and stress from work or personal life
• Prior to high-pressure events
• For managing chronic stress and burnout
• Post-stress recovery and rejuvenation
• Minimizing jet lag and travel stress
• Proactive stress management
• Part of a balanced self-care routine
• For natural stress reduction without medications

View our full IV Menu here

Cryotherapy for Energy & Mental Health

Cryotherapy has potential benefits that contribute to improved mood, energy levels, and mental health. The sudden exposure to cold temperatures during cryotherapy triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood-elevating and pain-relieving hormones. This release can create a sense of euphoria and well-being, leading to an improvement in mood. Additionally, cryotherapy's stimulating effect on the nervous system can increase alertness and energy levels, similar to how a cold shower can invigorate the body. The cold exposure may also contribute to reducing inflammation, which has links to mental health conditions. By decreasing inflammation and potentially modulating stress responses, cryotherapy might offer benefits for mental health and stress reduction.

Reserve your Cryotherapy session here

NAD+ IV Therapy for Energy & Mood

NAD+ IV Therapy involves administering nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme found in all living cells, intravenously to supplement levels in the body. This therapy is shown to enhance mood, energy, and mental health through several mechanisms. NAD+ plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including energy metabolism and DNA repair, influencing overall cellular health.

1. Energy Production: NAD+ is involved in cellular energy production, primarily within the mitochondria. By boosting NAD+ levels, this therapy may enhance cellular energy production, leading to increased overall energy levels and improved vitality.
2. Neurotransmitter Function: NAD+ is implicated in the production of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which are essential for mood regulation and mental health. Elevated NAD+ levels might support the synthesis and release of these neurotransmitters, potentially contributing to improved mood and mental well-being.
3. DNA Repair and Cellular Function: NAD+ is involved in DNA repair mechanisms, which help maintain the integrity of genetic material in cells. By aiding in DNA repair, NAD+ may promote overall cellular health, potentially impacting mental clarity and cognitive function.
4. Healthy Aging Effects: NAD+ has been associated with anti-aging properties due to its involvement in cellular repair processes. As cells age, NAD+ levels decline, affecting various cellular functions. By replenishing NAD+ levels, this therapy may support cellular rejuvenation, potentially mitigating some aspects of aging-related decline, including cognitive function.

Reserve your NAD+ drip here

Final Thought

It's important to remember that optimal well-being is a journey, and finding what works best for you may involve a combination of lifestyle adjustments, dietary modifications, and targeted interventions. Embracing these approaches, whether individually or collectively, can empower you to proactively shape your mood, energy, and overall wellness, paving the way for a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Questions about more ways you can enhance your energy levels and overall mood? Request a complimentary consult here

Call or text us at: (310) 295-2075

Sources:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-you-need-a-daily-supplement#:~:text=A survey of almost 3%2C500,29%25 take four or more.

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