6 Foods That Will Make You Happier and Calmer

Winter blues got you down? We get the feeling. Luckily, food can be the best medicine when it comes to boosting your mood. Below, we’ve selected six of our favorite foods that will have you feeling calmer and happier in no time.

Yogurt activates the hug hormone.

You can chase away grumpy moods — and reduce your risk of winter blues by 33 percent — simply by adding one cup of sugar-free yogurt to your daily diet. That’s the word from British researchers, who say the rich stores of probiotic bacteria in this healthy snack prompt the release of oxytocin, aka the “hug hormone” that helps you feel all warm and fuzzy.

Berries energize brain cells.

The rich, eye-catching color of berries comes from anthocyanins — antioxidants that stimulate brain cells, improving mental energy, focus, and clarity by 45 percent if you nosh on one cup daily, say Stanford University researchers.

More great news: Studies prove that the frozen berries that are readily available year-round contain just as many anthocyanins as the berries that are picked fresh during the summer.

Spinach calms the anxiety center.

This nutritional powerhouse is packed with magnesium, potassium and vitamin K—nutrient dynamos that soothe the brain’s anxiety center (the amygdala) to prevent the holiday stress hormone surges that rattle nerves and dampen moods.

Enjoy three cups of this leafy green weekly — toss it into smoothies or on a pizza — and Yale University researchers say you’ll dial down anxiety by as much as 52 percent.

Sesame seeds rev melatonin output.

Sprinkling two tablespoons of sesame seeds over your dinner could help you sleep 35 percent more soundly — and that’s great news since Cornell University researchers say waking up well-rested makes your risk of daytime blue moods and anxiety plunge by 66 percent.

What gives these tiny gems their superpowers? Their blend of copper and B-complex vitamins prompts the brain to ramp up its production of sleep-inducing melatonin. Simply munch on the seeds within four hours of bedtime.

Lentils elevate dopamine.

They’re mild-tasting, easy to cook, and rich in three nutrients (molybdenum, folate, and L-tyrosine) that trigger the release of the happiness-boosting brain chemical dopamine, say researchers at Connecticut’s University of Bridgeport.

Sneak a half cup of lentils into your daily meal plan (add them to slow-cooking soups or stews), and you’ll lower your odds of having the winter doldrums by 55 percent.

Green tea ups alpha brain waves.

Green tea contains a unique amino acid (called L-theanine) that hikes up your brain’s production of mood-boosting alpha waves. No wonder Japanese researchers say drinking three to four cups of this brew a day helps women feel 55 percent happier and more content — often within 30 minutes of the first sip!