Gallery: 7 Ways To Balance Your Serotonin Levels

We all get a little too busy from time to time and suffer from burnout. There is that never-ending list of things to do and seemingly not enough time to get them done. Those lists have a terrible way of taking over our lives if we let them and leave us tapped out and dragging. We look forward to taking a few days off just to rest and rejuvenate. That usually does the trick.

But are you experiencing persistent sadness, anger, or irritability for no particular reason? Are you worrying too much or having trouble sleeping? Suddenly throwing back carbs like never before or maybe not eating much at all? Or maybe you can't remember the last time you washed your hair, got your nails done, or worked out? If you answered "yes" to some of these, you could be suffering from low serotonin levels.

Serotonin is a type of chemical that helps relay messages fro one part of the brain to another. It is produced in the brain, but 90% is found in the digestive tract and in our blood platelets. Serotonin affects brain cells related to mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and cognitive ability, body temperature regulation, and some social behavior. It also influences the way our cardiovascular system, muscular system, and endocrine systems function. As you can see, not producing enough serotonin can cause a lot of problems.

There is no need to panic, though. You can increase your serotonin levels naturally by making some simple lifestyle changes. Try these five ways to bring your serotonin levels back into balance. As always, if these changes don't make you feel better, consult your physician.