We all know that laughter is the best medicine. And while it might take much more than simply giggles to combat complicated mental health issues like depression, getting your daily dose of sunshine through some memes certainly can’t hurt!

We’ve taken a trip to the Serotonin Memes Instagram page, which features hilarious and relatable pics all about mental health. These memes are no replacement for therapy and medication, but hopefully they’ll be able to give you a little boost of happiness hormones and remind you that you’re never alone in your mental health journey!

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According to the Cleveland Clinic, serotonin is an important neurotransmitter and hormone that carries messages between nerve cells in our brains and all throughout our bodies. It impacts our learning, memory, and happiness, while also regulating our bodies’ temperature, sleep and hunger. And as many of us know, not having enough can contribute to struggling with depression, anxiety and various other health conditions.

Serotonin is often referred to as the body’s natural “feel good” chemical because when we have healthy, stable levels of it, we feel more focused, happier and more calm. That’s why Serotonin Memes on Instagram is such a warm place. This account, which has amassed over 93k followers since its creation in 2018, has shared over 1,000 memes about mental health struggles that many of us can relate to. But it also reminds us to have a healthy sense of humor and to not take life too seriously. We all deserve to smile and laugh, even during the toughest times. 

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If you’re looking for ways to boost your body’s serotonin naturally, the Cleveland Clinic recommends eating more foods that contain tryptophan, getting plenty of sunlight, taking supplements, exercising more frequently and lowering your stress levels. Foods that you might want to eat more frequently are salmon, eggs, cheese, turkey, tofu, pineapples, nuts, oats and seeds. 

And, of course, if you’re struggling with clinical depression, you may be able to get a prescription for a drug that will increase your serotonin. Some antidepressants block the reabsorption and recycling of serotonin, which allows more of it to stay in your brain, the Cleveland Clinic explains. Other medications may simply increase levels of serotonin. While these drugs certainly aren’t necessary for everyone, they can be life changing for some.  

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Healthline also suggests a few natural ways to boost serotonin levels, including trying massage therapy. A great massage can increase your levels of serotonin and dopamine, as well as decrease your cortisol levels. One 2018 review of studies even found that massage therapy can benefit those struggling with anxiety, insomnia and prenatal depression. Of course, paying to go to a spa or getting a professional massage frequently can be expensive. But even having a friend or family member give you a massage in the comfort of your own home can be beneficial.

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Other methods for managing stress and regulating your emotions can help boost your serotonin levels as well. Taking up yoga, journaling and practicing gratitude, going to therapy, practicing meditation or breathing exercises and listening to calming music might help as well. Don’t underestimate the power of spending time with loved ones either. There is a known connection between socializing with friends and boosting serotonin.  

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While it may sound odd or perhaps even taboo to joke about mental health, as it can be an extremely serious topic as well, joking about our struggles can be a helpful coping mechanism. It can also help us bond with others who are experiencing the same thing, something we would never know if we weren’t open about our own issues. Talking about mental health destigmatizes it and allows us to feel more confident and safe reaching out for help when we need it. 

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“Talking about mental health helps improve our communities by making it more acceptable for those suffering from mental illnesses to seek help, learn to cope, and get on the road to recovery,” HealthSherpa explains. “In addition, mental health isn’t just about mental illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a positive state of wellbeing. Talking about mental health helps improve our communities by helping members maintain positive mental health, and a community of people in good mental health creates a more productive and collaborative environment.”

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According to the World Health Organization, 3.8% of the global population experiences depression, including 5.7% of adults over the age of 60. Depression is about 50% more common in women than men, and more than one in ten moms who have recently given birth struggle with depression. Some symptoms a depressed person may experience are poor concentration, feelings of guilt or low self-esteem, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or contemplating suicide, issues sleeping, changes in appetite or weight and fatigue. 

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It’s extremely important that anyone struggling with mental health issues feels safe speaking up and seeking help. If sharing memes about therapy and seasonal depression helps others feel less alone and helps them realize that it’s completely normal to reach out for help, then these memes are making a difference. Plus, if these silly photos are the only things that manage to make you smile today, taking the time to scroll through them is absolutely worth it.  

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Are you feeling healthier after scrolling through this list, pandas? Alright, we understand that silly little memes can’t cure your depression. So if you are struggling, please reach out to a therapist or trusted loved one who can provide you with resources to start getting well soon. And for now, remember to try to get some laughter in every day. Keep upvoting the pics you find most relatable, and then check out even more mental health memes from Bored Panda right here!

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