Community Magazine April 2014

66 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CHAYA STEINMAN As we exit the joyful month of Adar and enter the miraculous month of Nissan, a tangible merriment remains in the air, as the Gemara ( Taanit 29a) mandates: “When Adar arrives, we increase our joy.” The flip side of this statement is found in the Mishnah: “When Av arrives, we decrease our joy.” It is significant that though we are required to adjust the level of joy in these months, the assumption is that we should be in a constant state of simhah throughout the year. The Torah is replete with mentions of the importance of simhah : “And you shall rejoice ( vesamahta ) with every good thing which the Lord your Gd has given you” (Devarim 26:11); “Serve Hashem With Joy” (Tehillim, 100). On the other end of the spectrum, we are reprimanded in Parashat Ki Tavo (Devarim 28:47), “Because you did not serve the Lord your Gd with happiness.” C learly, then, happiness is necessary for proper avodat Hashem (service of Gd). But how can we acquire this elusive trait? Let us delve into scientific theories, sociological research and, of course, our own Torah sources in search of an answer to this poignant question. The Chemical Equation – Is Happiness Purely Hormonal? A 2011 report issued by the National Center for Health Statistics found that the rate of antidepressant usage in the United States increased almost 400 percent from 1998 to 2008, and that 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 take antidepressant medication. Based on these depressing statistics (pun intended!), it would seem that many Americans have bought into the idea that creating the perfect balance of chemicals and hormones by popping a pill is the key to bliss. To understand this deeper, let’s take a look at serotonin, a hormone found in the digestive track that has been linked to appetite, sleep, memory, learning ability, behavior, and of course, mood. A Princeton University study points out that serotonin is called the “happiness hormone” as it is a contributor to feelings of wellbeing and contentment. Therefore, common antidepressant medications such a Zoloft and Prozac work by raising the level of serotonin in the brain to regulate moods and combat depression. In a similar vein, nutritional science turns to food to find the happy medium of hormones and chemicals to keep you smiling. Food that is high in B6 and B12 – such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans – help maintain serotonin levels. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in many fish, are another key nutrient linked to mood. Nutritional expert Dr. Joe Hibbelen M.D., an advocate of a diet rich in Omega-3’s, explains that “when the brain becomes deficient in nutrients, the first things to go are mood, the expression of emotion and concentration.” Additionally, Vitamin D, antioxidants and magnesium are all linked to improving levels of mental health and optimism. And the chocolate lovers out there will be pleased to learn that Phenylethylamine (PEA), a known antidepressant, is found in chocolate. These ideas are echoed in the popular book The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood , and Lean, Energized Body by Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey. They make the interesting observation that “for the first time in history, too much food is making us sick.” In the past generations, we have seen a shift in the American diet towards more packaged and refined foods, stripping our bodies of key nutrients that are essential to happiness. Eating foods devoid of nutrition has led to “expanding our waistlines; what’s less obvious is that it’s starving and shrinking our brains.” It is fascinating to consider the disintegration of dietary habits inAmerica coinciding with the aforementioned statistics about increased antidepressant usage. BUT HOW?

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