3 Supplements That Can Make A *Big* Difference in Your Mood

Sure, we’re always eager to feel our best, physically and mentally. But especially amidst these grim times, it’s more valuable than ever to pick up some extra self-care habits to not only keep you healthy, but also improve your daily outlook.

In particular, the nutrients you consume have an essential role in dictating how well your body and brain is able to function. Although we love to speak to the importance of eating healthy food (including the incredible impact superfoods can have), quality supplements can sometimes make all the difference in fine-tuning your diet, providing elements you’re either missing, or simply need to boost. Especially if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, run-down, or simply wondering if there is such a thing as too much homemade sourdough, there has never been a better time to re-evaluate your supplement situation and make a simple tweak in what you take. To improve your mood and overall well-being, scroll down for three great picks to put in your cart.

1. Algae-based DHA & EPA

Think this pair of omega 3 fatty acids aren’t essential? We’d say “think again”… but you may have trouble doing so! That’s because about 20 percent of your total brain tissue is made up of Omega 3 fats alone—and most are the DHA variety—which protect your brain from decay, promote the growth of new brain cells, and have been shown in numerous studies to support mental stability overall. Unfortunately, the average American consumes less than half the recommended DHA on any given day (and even less if you’re vegetarian or vegan), so it’s safe to say this supplement can provide a much-needed health boost for most people.

Although there’s many varieties on the market, after a long hunt we fell in love with Vegetology Opti3, which is a EPA & DHA supplement that also includes some vitamin D3 (more on that in a moment!). Not only is this supplement entirely plant-based (algae is vastly more environmentally sustainable than fish, plus it doesn’t have that awful fishy aftertaste!), but it also contains a much higher quantity of Omega 3s than most other algae supplements, easily aligning with the dosage recommendations of leading health professionals.

2. Vitamin D3

Surely you’ve experienced the uplifting power of the sun: “soaking up a few rays” can quite literally put you in a better mood. That’s because sunlight causes a biochemical reaction with your skin to produce vitamin D3 in your body, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent for your brain, helping it heal and regenerate (from stress or injury), while keeping you feeling mentally “brighter” in the process.