A general low mood can include:

• sadness
• feeling anxious or panicky
• worry
• tiredness
• low self-esteem
• frustration
• anger

However, a low mood will tend to lift after a few days or weeks. Making some small changes in your life, such as resolving a difficult situation, talking about your problems or getting more sleep, can usually improve your mood.

A low mood that doesn’t go away can be a sign of depression. Symptoms of depression can include the following:

• low mood lasting two weeks or more
• not getting any enjoyment out of life
• feeling hopeless
• feeling tired or lacking energy
• not being able to concentrate on everyday things like reading the paper or watching television
• comfort eating or losing your appetite
• sleeping more than usual or being unable to sleep

What can you do, to help yourself?

The key to working towards beating depression need not be complicated or complexed.

The brain is a magnificent tool and can, with support, be programmed into beating low mood and depression.

It has been recognised that early man was given quite definitive rewards for carrying out certain evolutionary processes. They got rewarded when they went out and hunted and gathered to successfully support themselves and their families. Scientists are adamant about this, and we now know what that reward was. It was a chemical in the brain which acts as a catalyst for mentally healthy behaviour. 

That drug is well known, and it’s called Serotonin.  This is a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.

So, you may be asking how this affects you?

Well, it’s not necessary for us to hunt and gather anymore but it is essential that we repeat similar processes in our lives which can assist us in producing a constant flow of serotonin.

These processes are way to follow and they are-

1. Thinking positively! Concentrate on the positive things in your life!

2. Exercise – we all know that nobody ever regrets a workout once it has done. 

Well you don’t have to be breaking Olympic records to achieve this outcome! Merely walking the dog around the block or going out for a gentle run will allow the brain to recognise the same benefits!

3. Interact positively with others – go out with friends! Begin an interest and join a club!

If you work towards carrying out these three steps, then you will be doing your bit towards being happy and feeling good about yourself!

Please share your experiences, what do you do to increase your Serotonin?