BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Keeping up the pace in this hectic world is hard, so it’s no wonder we often find ourselves feeling stressed and down. Serotonin, a key neurotransmitter in the brain, is important for mood control and has considerable sway over how we’re feeling. Combining specific foods and lifestyle choices can naturally elevate serotonin levels and improve your overall health. Understand serotonin and tryptophan. Serotonin is a complex molecule that exists in the brain, blood, intestines, and connective tissues. It facilitates information transmission across the neurological system, stimulates blood vessels to contract, and is essential for brain function. This chemical is often associated with positive mood, although the brain’s complexity means that much about serotonin remains to be discovered. Tryptophan, an important amino acid, is necessary for serotonin generation in the body. Tryptophan, unlike serotonin, must be supplied from dietary sources. Consuming tryptophan-rich foods can improve mood, energy levels, and quality of sleep. 8 foods that naturally increase serotonin Here are eight foods rich in tryptophan that can naturally enhance serotonin levels: 1. Salmon Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote strong bones, healthy skin, and proper eye function. It also contains vitamin D, which is necessary for keeping healthy muscles and teeth. Most people can get enough tryptophan from eating two servings of fatty fish each week. Vegans and vegetarians can acquire omega-3 from pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and soya. 2. Poultry Poultry, which includes chicken, turkey, and goose, is high in protein and low in fat, particularly lean cuts such as chicken breasts. Including poultry in your diet might be a rich amount of tryptophan. 3. Eggs Eggs are both flexible and nutritious, offering a good amount of tryptophan. Instead of frying eggs, try boiling or poaching them to get the most nutritional advantages. An omelet with a salad can make for a healthy and light meal. 4. Spinach Dark green leafy foods, such as spinach, are rich in tryptophan. Spinach is also high in iron, which is required to produce healthy red blood cells. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which is characterized by low energy and difficulty breathing. 5: Seeds Although seeds do not contain as much tryptophan as oily fish or fowl, they are an important source for vegetarians and vegans. Sprinkle seeds on salads, combine them with almonds for a snack, choose for seeded bread, or put them into cereal, porridge, or yogurt. 6. Milk Milk contains tryptophan and calcium, both of which are necessary to develop healthy bones and teeth. Low-fat milk can be a healthier option, especially for individuals trying to limit their saturated fat intake. 7. Soy products Soy products like tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce are high in tryptophan, making them good choices for vegetarians and vegans. 8. Nuts Nuts contain protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making them a nutritious snack that can keep you feeling satiated for longer. Add a handful of nuts between meals to increase your tryptophan consumption. The critical role of carbohydrates Carbohydrates are essential for the body’s energy supply and serotonin generation. Fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread, and pasta are all nutritious carbohydrate sources. Tryptophan is most effective when taken with carbs, which help it reach the brain and produce serotonin. Additional lifestyle tips for increasing serotonin and mood Stay energized Maintaining consistent energy levels throughout the day can assist in regulating mood. Whole grains digest slowly and release energy gradually. Healthy snacks, such as nuts, seeds, and fruit, can give energy between meals. Stay hydrated Drinking enough fluids is vital for keeping the body and brain hydrated, which is necessary for energy and good brain function. Promote gut health A healthy gut is a must for serotonin synthesis. Include prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods in your diet to improve gut health. Avoid foods that harm gut bacteria, such as artificial sweeteners, trans fats, and processed sweets. Get outside Sunlight can stimulate serotonin synthesis. Spending time outside every day, even in the winter, can help boost mood and ease symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Move your body Regular physical activity improves both mental and physical health. Exercise can lower the risk of depression and provide an instant mood boost by producing endorphins, which help people cope with pain and stress. Stay positive A good mindset is frequently about balance. Diet, exercise, sleep, and a good outlook are all important factors in enhancing mood. By including these foods and lifestyle behaviors into your daily routine, you can naturally increase serotonin levels, boost your mood, and improve your overall health.The post Boost serotonin levels to lower stress and improve your mood, naturally! first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM San Francisco debuted Sea Change, the world’s first commercial passenger ferry powered solely by hydrogen fuel cells. From July 19, this 75-seat sailboat provides free trips three days a week between Pier 41 between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building. While the trip is short, officials see the launch as an important step toward a zero-emission ferry fleet. “Communities near harbor seaports are disproportionately affected by diesel pollution from vessels,” said Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), during a news conference. “So finding a future that moves away from that diesel and brings zero-emission vessels is why we’re all here, and this fuel cell ferry really provides that opportunity.” A milestone in clean energy Sea Change’s hydrogen fuel cells release only heat and water vapor, significantly lowering pollution compared to the diesel-powered ferries now in service. John Motlow, chief strategy officer at Zero Emission Industries, the business that developed the fuel cells, emphasized the environmental benefits. “The emissions from the hydrogen production process are still less than those produced by a diesel-burning ferry,” he stated. The $3 million CARB grant-funded project is consistent with California’s ambitious emission reduction targets. “The governor directed CARB and our sister agencies to bring that zero-emission future to life by 2035, where feasible, and the Sea Change is helping us chart that course,” Randolph said. Renewable hydrogen, the future of maritime fuel Although natural gas provides some of the electricity required to manufacture hydrogen fuel, renewable sources such as solar and wind power are increasingly contributing to the process. Motlow is optimistic about the future: “The data paints a pretty clear picture that ultimately green, renewable hydrogen will be cheaper to produce than hydrogen from natural gas. The cost of solar is so cheap right now and is only getting cheaper.” Expanding the green fleet San Francisco Bay Ferry’s executive director, Seamus Murphy, announced plans to add five battery-powered ferries to the fleet within two years. While they will service shorter trips, long-distance routes will most likely rely on hydrogen-powered ferries due to present battery technology limits. “The batteries are a little too heavy, not energy-dense enough to be able to operate over those distances,” Murphy explained. “But hydrogen doesn’t have that problem.” Charting a course for sustainable transportation As Sea Change sets sail, it represents more than just a new ferry—it symbolizes a commitment to sustainable transportation and cleaner air for San Francisco. “It’s surprising how fast things evolve, how quickly people innovate,” Murphy exclaimed. “And I think that’s what we’re going to see happen with hydrogen as well.” With continued developments and increased support for renewable energy, the future of zero-emission maritime transit appears bright, setting a standard for cities around the world to follow.The post San Francisco launches the world’s first fully hydrogen-powered ferry first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

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Monday’s Amanpour & Co., which airs on tax-funded PBS, took advantage of Joe Biden abdicating his re-election campaign to do some Biden-buffing courtesy of Bob Bauer, Biden’s personal lawyer, followed by some Trump-trashing from Sarah Longwell, the “Republican” Never-Trumper, and apparent Kamala Harris booster. Journalist Walter Isaacson’s interview with Bauer was more of a tribute to the retiring Democratic president than a fact-hunt. Walter Isaacson: You are very close over the years to President Biden. You've been his personal lawyer. Your wife, Anita Dunn, has been a senior adviser. You know how he makes decisions. You know what he stands for and what he's pushing for. Tell me how his sense -- your sense of his legacy, his political drive, how that all played into the decision he made this weekend. Bob Bauer: I certainly recognize that Joe Biden, that I think many people have seen over the years, who is an institutionalist deeply committed to constitutional values…. Isaacson encouraged Bauer to paint Biden’s forced ouster in glowing historical terms. Isaacson: You know, you've just written a book called "The Unraveling," and you talk a bit about the authoritarian movements that have happened around the world, people clinging to power, and how this is a moment where we have to assert democracy. Do you think that that has been a theme, too, of Biden's decision? Bauer: Joe Biden, throughout his entire administration, frankly, the very rationale of his candidacy in 2019, 2020 was to recapture the democratic soul of the nation or to protect it against what he thought the threat was from the politics of Donald Trump…. Isaacson furthered the myth of bipartisan Biden (at least when he wasn’t attacking Trump and his supporters as a threat to democracy): Isaacson: The book you wrote, "The Unraveling," talks about how polarized we've become. Joe Biden seemed like he could have been an antidote to that. He was somebody always worked across the aisle, and to some extent, during his presidency, he got bipartisan bills, especially the infrastructure one. Do you think that part of his legacy will be that he tried to tamp down the partisanship or was that impossible? There was one question on the disastrous debate. (Bauer played Trump in debate prep.) Bauer claimed this was unexpected: "I thought it was aberrational. It's nothing that I would have forecast or predicted or that he would have forecast or predicted, and I don't think it represents in any way what another debate would have been like." After more of Bauer’s Biden-buffing (“Joe Biden accomplished an enormous amount”) Isaacson set up Bauer to rebut Republicans contesting Harris’s ballot eligibility (this, after liberals tried mightily to knock Trump off state ballots). Isaacson: The Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has said that they're going to use, the Republicans, a lot of legal methods to challenge the ballots in various states where the ballots of now would have Kamala Harris and a running mate. To what extent are there some legal issues involved with that? And do you think that it's -- the Republicans should be testing that in court rather than just contesting it at the voting booths? Naturally, Bauer agreed with Isaacson’s slanted premise, and suggested Johnson's effort was outrageous. Bauer: I think the way you put the question, I think, suggests the right answer…. After the Biden-buffing came the Trump-trashing, courtesy of guest and PBS fixture Never-Trumper Sarah Longwell, who, for a “Republican,” seemed suspiciously enthused about the prospect of a presidency under arch-liberal Kamala Harris, while mocking Trump for now being “the oldest nominee for president ever.” Sarah Longwell, Executive Editor of Republican Voters Against Trump: ….she has the chance to reset that narrative now. And I think by being energetic, by going on offense against Trump, by prosecuting a case against Trump, something Joe Biden had become incapable of doing, she can really turn this race around….     Golodryga noted Atlantic writer Tim Alberta’s tweet about the candidate switch, insisting that it would be incredibly “problematic” for Trump’s campaign. Longwell agreed. Longwell: ….what they're going to do is they're going to bring out the absolute worst in Donald Trump and in his supporters. They will -- you already hear them saying it, where they call Kamala Harris, you know, a DEI president, and they'll try to do that. They'll try to run that play. But that doesn't reflect particularly well on them…. When asked if she thinks there’ll be a Trump-Harris debate, Longwell got in one more dig. Golodryga: He’s already saying ABC won't be fair. It should be done on Fox News. We'll see where that falls. Longwell: Less embarrassing for him.

Captured by two young girls in the early 20th century, the photos of the Cottingley Fairies appeared to show the girls posing in a garden with tiny, winged sprites. The post The Curious Tale Of The Cottingley Fairies, The Photo Hoax That Fooled The Creator Of Sherlock Holmes appeared first on All That's Interesting.

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