“I recently returned from a lovely holiday with my family and I’m really suffering from the ‘post-holiday blues’. I seem to have no motivation and I am feeling quite low. Can you help please?”
Clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer answers.
I’m sorry to hear that you are feeling this way and it’s quite normal to feel a little down after a wonderful holiday as we ease back into our usual day to day lives.
There are however a few natural ways which I hope can help you to feel a little brighter.
BOOST YOUR SEROTONIN
My first thought is that you may be low in serotonin. Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter made from the amino acid tryptophan, which is needed to give you that extra boost. B vitamins (found mainly in cereals and wholemeal bread), vitamin C (found in fruits and vegetables) and zinc (found in seafood) are all needed to make serotonin. So make sure to include all of these in your diet.
Eating foods which are high in tryptophan itself including turkey, chicken, bananas and cottage cheese may also help to get more serotonin into your body.
IMPROVE YOUR GUT HEALTH
A little known fact is that most of your serotonin is actually made in the gut, so having good levels of friendly bacteria is another important factor. Friendly bacteria can be found in live yoghurt. You could also include a probiotic supplement to give those friendly bacteria a helping hand.
TRY ST JOHN’S WORT
The herb St John’s wort is a traditional herbal remedy known to raise serotonin levels and also helps to relieve symptoms of low mood and mild anxiety. It normally takes two to three weeks before symptoms improve, so stick with it and hopefully – along with the recommended diet changes – your drive and enthusiasm for life will return.
If you have any concerns at all always talk to you healthcare professional for further advice.
