We view food as a source of energy, and sometimes when what we eat tastes particularly delicious – a source of guilty pleasure. But we rarely see a connection between the food we eat and the mood we are in throughout the day.

Yet if you think about it whenever we feel bored, sad, heartbroken or stressed out we automatically head to the kitchen in search of a tub of ice-cream or a bag of potato chips, instead of turning for comfort to foods that can actually help to boost our mood, improve our motivation and noticeably increase our energy (and I am not talking about coffee or ‘Red Bull’ here).

If lately you have been a little cranky, spacey and quick to snap at friends, co-workers and your family members, a better eating plan may be just the thing you need to restore balance in your personal and professional life.

Below are the Top 10 Foods that will help you to do just that:

1. Bananas

With so many exotic fruits on the market, good ol’ bananas are often overlooked and undervalued. However, by all definitions a banana is one of the super fruits that can help you cope with stress, feel happier and noticeably improve your mood. Bananas and the potassium they contain not only keep blood pressure in check, but also help to improve memory and brain power. So instead of grabbing a chocolate chip cookie to relax, savor the deliciousness of golden bananas.

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Recently after driving around the suburbs of Milan for almost two hours, hoping to find a grocery store that was open on Sunday (close to an impossible task, by the way), then missing our exit and getting stuck in traffic, my friend declared “Let’s face it! Today officially sucks! We just have to accept it and stop trying!”

I thought about it and realized it did not sit well with me to accept that my day sucked and there was nothing I could do about it!

We all have bad periods when everything seems to go wrong. But it does not mean that a day that starts poorly cannot get better.

Below is a list of 57 Things that lift my spirits and make me want to get on with my day, even if the rest of it has been crummy.

Pick the ones you like and make your days brighter and happier!

1. Cuddle the person that you love before getting out of bed
2. Prepare yourself a delicious breakfast
3. Spend 15 minutes meditating
4. Call an old friend and catch up on the latest news
5. Send cheerful messages to 5 different people
6. Wear your favorite colors
7. Go outside and fill your lungs with fresh air
8. Listen to your favorite radio station when driving to work and sing along
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There are days in our life, when we feel unloved, unappreciated, sad, frustrated and angry at the whole world. No one (well, maybe except for a few enlightened people) are immune to days like this. And it is ok to let ourselves experience regret, anger, disappointment, and distress. After all we must acknowledge our emotions, instead of suppressing them. But it is not ok to let ourselves stay in this “negative” place for too long.

Here are 10 Statistical Facts that will lift your spirits whenever you are feeling down or simply to remind you how lucky you are:

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

It does not matter how old you are to your parents, you will stay their “dear baby, who always looks too thin and works too much”. It does not matter where you are your true friends will never forget you. It does not matter what you wear or how you look to your beloved you will always be beautiful.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

You might not be aware of it, but there are at least 15 people in this world, who love and accept you the way you are. If this number sounds like an exaggeration start counting: your parents, your grandparents, your spouse, your friends, your cousins, aunts, uncles, your favorite teacher, a nice old lady that used to live across the street from you… The list goes on.

3. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before going to sleep.

Every night someone mentions you in their prayers, wishes you happiness and sends you loving thoughts. If you doubt this, it is because you have been too tired or too stressed out to notice them.

4. At least 2, 000 people are ready to help you whenever you need it.

There are hundreds of forums, social networks, and chats where people that you have never seen in your life will listen to your troubles, support you in your ventures, share their stories with you and give you valuable advice. Do you know why they do it? No, not because they have to kill time at work. It is because they really care about you and sincerely want to help you. It is kind of empowering to know that you have 2,000 people from all over the world ready to help you 24/7, isn’t it?

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