【Sad News】Serotonin: ‘It's winter, so I'm taking a break.’
📖Author: Nao
Hello, it’s Nao here. Winter has well and truly arrived, and preparations for hibernation are nearly complete.
It seems opportunities to bask in sunlight have dwindled, and it looks like our brain’s serotonin – that happiness hormone produced internally – is keen to rest. Properly rest, it seems.
Serotonin: ‘Yeah, I want to rest!’Blimey, this blighter’s suddenly started talking!?
But the problem is, serotonin taking a break is a matter of life and death for our happiness hormone!
Serotonin: ‘What?! But I want to rest! Doesn’t look like there’s any sunlight anyway (teehee)’
Honestly, it’s a real bother, isn’t it? Oh dear
Today, for such troublesome times, there are ways to forcefully activate Mr Serotonin.
Serotonin: ‘What!?’
Methods to Forcefully Increase Serotonin
Even if Serotonin wants to rest, there are ways to forcefully increase it.
Here are the three methods:
Method 1: Force yourself to get sunlight, even in winter, to soak up as much as possible
Sunlight will forcefully increase Serotonin.
Therefore,
Even with short daylight hours, simply seek out sunlight!
Serotonin: ‘Oh no, but I hate winter!’
Method 2: Move around constantly to force serotonin secretion
Moving at a steady rhythm also triggers serotonin secretion
Chewing your food thoroughly or activities like walking are also effective.
Additionally, there’s a breathing technique that boosts serotonin in just five minutes.
→ Activate your happiness hormones with just 5 minutes of “ZEN Breathing”
Serotonin: ‘I hate moving, but I can manage breathing, can’t I?’
Method 3: Consume meals containing tryptophan and vitamin B6
To boost serotonin intake effectively, combine foods rich in tryptophan and vitamin B6 – which help synthesise serotonin – with carbohydrates like rice or bread to enhance absorption.
Foods containing tryptophan
- Soy products such as tofu, natto, miso, and soy sauce
- Dairy products like cheese, milk, and yoghurt
- Rice
- Sesame seeds, peanuts
- Eggs
- Bananas
- Oily fish (such as tuna)
- Lean meats (such as chicken)
- Bananas
- Sweet potatoes
- Brown rice
Serotonin: ‘Food is most welcome!’
Summary
So, even if Mr Serotonin wants to take a winter break, there are ways to boost his levels, even if it means forcing the issue.
Serotonin: ‘The world is always unreasonable!’
So, let’s boost our serotonin levels to grab as much of that happiness hormone as possible and get through winter.
Serotonin: ‘Even so, this humble servant does not wish to work!!!’
※This article is not intended to replace medical treatment.
If you experience persistent mental health symptoms, we recommend consulting a specialist institution.