What you eat has a significant influence on your health and wellbeing. But the link between mental health and your diet is often devalued by the general population. However, health experts have long touted the benefits of a healthy diet with relation to both physical and mental wellbeing. When your body receives the essential nutrients it needs to function optimally, your mental health gets a boost.
Let’s take a look at how a diet rich in healthful vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can enhance your mental wellbeing.
Fight Off Depression
Several neurotransmitters are involved in mood regulation. Perhaps one of the most important is serotonin. The majority of serotonin is not actually produced by your brain. Rather, it’s generated within your digestive system. When you make healthy choices, such as filling up your plate with fibrous vegetables, avoiding inflammatory foods, or looking up “what is Thrive” to manage your appetite, your gut health improves. In this way, it’s a lot easier for your brain and body to maintain a sense of well being and contentment.
Keep Anxiety At Bay
Foods that contribute to internal inflammation, blood sugar spikes, and digestive issues can weigh you down in more ways than one. An unhealthy or overly processed meal places stress on your system. This can make it more difficult for you to manage the stress and anxiety that accumulates during the day due to issues at work or with your personal life. Stress and anxiety stimulate your nervous system and activate your body’s fight or flight response. In this state, it’s more difficult to focus, relax, or unwind long enough to achieve the mental clarity required to tackle your growing to-do list.
Nutrients such as protein, complex carbohydrates, and antioxidants are linked to increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters play an important role in mood regulation and concentration. So a diet that concentrates on whole, healthy foods can go a long way in reducing your body’s stress response.
Sleep Better
Nutritional deficiencies are associated with several health issues. These include insomnia or sleep disruptions. You’re far more likely to get a good night’s rest when your body is able to perform basic functions. To do so, use the aid of essential vitamins and minerals.
Some foods can also inhibit your ability to get quality shut eye when it’s time to retire at the end of the day. This is especially true for unhealthy meals eaten too close to bedtime. Research has shown that late night snacks and less than nutritious meals are associated with frequent night wake-ups and trouble falling and staying asleep.
When you’re well rested, you’re more likely to be in a good mood during the day. A lack of sleep can make you grouchy, drowsy, distracted and irritable because it’s a lot harder to function without adequate rest. However, when you’re able to sleep soundly throughout the night, you have a better chance at a happy, successful day.
Practice Self Care
Aside from obvious nutritional benefits, a healthful diet is also a powerful act of good personal care. Any healthy choices you make are likely to make you feel good about how you treat your body. Confidence in your daily routines can spill over into other areas of your life. As you navigate your day, know that you’re doing what you can to take care of yourself.
Conclusion
A consistent, healthy diet is like a daily message to your body that you care and want to invest in yourself and your life. Nutrition requires mindfulness and intention. When it comes to what you put on your plate at mealtimes, they’ve been linked to a better sense of personal prosperity. Taking care of yourself is empowering. The more you make choices to improve your health, the better you’ll feel. This is true even in between all of the healthy meals and nutritious snacks you consume.
