eating food" class="wp-image-2479"/>Instead of being more emo after eating? try these methods!
Have you ever had this experience – you just finished a big meal (eating food), feeling satisfied, but not long after, your mood is inexplicably low? This may have something to do with dopamine levels!
Dopamine is the brain’s “happy hormone”. After eating, its production will rise briefly, but then it may drop quickly, leaving you feeling tired or depressed. Don’t worry, today I’m going to share 5 scientific methods to help you naturally boost dopamine after meals and maintain a good mood!
1.Eat the Right Foods for Longer Lasting Happiness
Not all foods give a steady dopamine boost, and some can even make your mood swings bigger. Try these dopamine-friendly foods:
Tyrosine-rich foods (precursors to dopamine):
Bananas
Nuts (almonds, walnuts)
Dark chocolate (70% or more cocoa)
Eggs
Beans (tofu, chickpeas)
Antioxidant-rich foods (protects brain cells):
Blueberries
Spinach
Green tea
❌ Avoid “pleasure traps” that are high in sugar and fat:
Cakes, fried chicken, milk tea, etc. stimulate dopamine for a short time, but then lead to a bigger emotional downturn. 2. 10-minute walk after meals.
2.Take a 10-minute walk after a meal to get your happiness level up.
You may think you should lie down when you’re full, but light exercise is actually a great way to boost dopamine!
Walking: 10-15 minutes of slow walking is all it takes to boost dopamine secretion and can also help with digestion.
Stretching: Simple stretches can also activate the brain’s reward system.
It doesn’t need to be a strenuous exercise, just moving around can make your mood better!
3.Listen to your favorite music to activate the happy switch
Music has an effect on the brain beyond imagination! Studies have found that listening to your favorite songs can quickly stimulate the release of dopamine.
Put on your headphones after a meal and play a few songs that make you happy.
Music with a brisk beat works better, such as pop and electronica.
Try it and feel the change in mood in a few minutes!
4.Brighten your mood by getting some sunshine
Sunshine not only replenishes vitamin D, but also promotes dopamine secretion.
Go out on the balcony or outdoors for 5-10 minutes after a meal.
Cloudy day? Turning on a bright light helps too.
It’s easy and free, so why not?
5.Do something small to give your brain a “reward”
Dopamine loves the feeling of “getting things done”, so do something simple after a meal, such as:
Organize your desktop
Respond to a message
Accomplish a small goal (e.g., read a few pages of a book).
Every time you complete a task, your brain will quietly reward you with a little dopamine!
To summarize: a guide to being happy after a meal
Eat the right foods → Choose tyrosine and antioxidant rich foods.
Take a 10-minute walk → Light exercise boosts dopamine.
Listen to music → Activate the brain’s pleasure response.
Sunbathing → naturally regulates mood.
Perform small tasks → Make your brain feel “rewarded”.
Try these ways to make your mealtimes less emo and your happiness last longer!