In modern-day society, more people are grasping a better understanding of the importance of prioritizing mental health. A mental health regimen can look different for different people. For example, one person might need to sit in a therapist’s chair once a week. While this is good for everyone, it’s not always the resource many take advantage of. Another person might opt to use cardiovascular exercise as a form of mental protection.
However, there’s one element that a lot of people underestimate as it relates to mental health. That element is a healthy diet. Because mental health involves the mind, it’s easy for people to associate practices such as meditation, talk therapy, and exercise with it. However, the fuel you put in your body impacts the way your body and mind operate. Consider some of the ways a healthy diet can influence your mental health.
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1. The Mind-Gut Connection is Undeniable
According to research from Harvard Medical School, the gut can send signals to the brain based on the food it’s processing. When you’re feeling certain emotions, they can cause a reaction in the gut.
Think about whenever you’re feeling anxious or stressed. If you feel queasy or develop a bad feeling in your gut, know that you’re not imagining it. Stress and negative emotions you’re experiencing in your mind can manifest through GI disorders and more. It’s possible for anxiety and anxious thoughts to show up in the gut through an upset stomach.
If you’re fueling your body with processed or unhealthy foods, this will only exacerbate the problem. Alternatively, green, leafy vegetables are directly linked to brain health and the delay of cognitive decline.
2. The Body Thrives on Nutrient-Rich Foods
Your body has the ability to truly thrive when you feed it the right foods. The same is true for your mind. By consuming two or more servings of berries each week, the brain is more likely to operate at peak performance levels. People who consume lots of blueberries and strawberries are proven to enjoy slower rates of cognitive decline.
Plus, when you’re feeding your body the right foods, you’ll look even better. When you look good, you’ll tend to feel good. Choose a diet that’s realistic for you. Even if you want to follow a keto meal plan pdf, be mindful of how much meat you take in.
Fish can be excellent for the brain, but try to consume more meat-free meals with ingredients such as a variety of beans. Beans such as lentils and black beans are excellent sources of fiber and protein. In addition to providing B vitamins, beans are excellent for brain health as well.
3. Energy Combats Lethargy and Depression
When a person consumes lots of processed foods, this can take a toll on their energy levels. When a person constantly feels sluggish and tired, it’s going to be challenging to be productive. When you’re not productive, this leads to a whole host of other emotional issues. In many instances, people can become really down and depressed simply because they’ve been deeply unmotivated to get through their daily tasks.
When your body is weighed down with unhealthy food, you just can’t be as efficient as you’d like to be. This is why shopping on the perimeter of the grocery store is key. By purchasing fresh or frozen produce, legumes, and other whole foods, you can fuel your body to operate better.
When an individual buys a luxury car, they’re not going to put the low-grade fuel in it. They’re going to put high-quality fuel because they want the car to run in the best and most efficient way possible. By filling your body up with lots of water and whole foods, you’ll gain more energy and combat the negative feelings that are associated with lethargy, sluggishness, and depression.
There are plenty of people who don’t invest in therapy for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is access. Not everyone has the financial margin to afford therapy. However, there are still ways to prioritize mental health. One of those ways is a healthy diet. Everyone eats on a daily basis. By choosing the right foods and drinking the right liquids, you can create an amazing foundation for your mind to thrive.
