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Tips to Boost Mood & Metabolism

Metabolism determines how the body burns fuel, and for most people it is the driving factor behind how quickly and easily they lose weight or how difficult it might be to gain weight. Many factors affect metabolism including genetics, sex, age and body mass. Defects in the thyroid also can both speed up or slow down one's metabolism. Excluding slow metabolism caused by medical conditions, there are several ways to naturally boost metabolism.

  1. Exercise

    • The best remedy to boost both metabolism and mood is an overall lifestyle that includes healthy eating, proper rest and regular exercise. Exercise, in particular, is a key component for boosting metabolism. Cardiovascular exercises jump start metabolism, while weight training builds muscle which, in turn, helps to boost overall long-term metabolism. A lean body mass is an important part of a healthy and active metabolism.

    Eat Often

    • Contrary to what some dieters believe, cutting meals is not the answer. While food quantity and calories need to be watched, your metabolism needs to know that all systems are go--and starving yourself tells it quite the opposite. Your body starts burning calories as soon as you feed it. Eating several small meals throughout the day, particularly when trying to lose weight, has been proven to boost metabolism.

    Avoid Stress

    • While the link between stress and mood might seem obvious, stress also causes a metabolic slow down. Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, slows metabolism and is released whenever the body is physically or mentally tired.

    Hydrate

    • Without proper hydration, the body cannot rid itself of toxins. This could adversely affect metabolism and mood. Drinking cold water further aids metabolism because of the additional energy the body will generate to heat up.

    Avoid Sugars

    • Sugars are known to give a temporary lift or high. However, the crash afterward is closely associated with down moods. By choosing healthy, rather than sugary snacks, you keep your mood and metabolism boosted. In fact, sugar causes your body and its metabolism to turn to its fat storage mode, slowing metabolic function.

    Add Some Spice

    • Adding spicy foods to the diet gives powerful flavor without big calories and has been linked to improved mood, increased brain function and strengthened muscles.

    Omega-3

    • There is evidence supporting the benefits to metabolism of foods rich in omega-3, such as seafood, seaweed, walnuts and flaxseed.

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