What we eat has the power to affect (not always drastically) our health, mood, and behaviour. Dietary changes can bring about changes in our brain structure (chemically and physiologically) which can lead to altered behaviour.

For example, we can experience a sugar high from unhealthy sugary diets, which in turn forces us to have a major sugar low. Those short bursts of energy often lead to tiredness and crankiness. In short, what we eat either has the potential to feed and nurture our brains on a chemical level, or it can lead to mental exhaustion, anxiety, and depression.

FEED YOUR BRAIN

If we want to ensure that our moods are balanced, we need to be more conscious and aware of feeding our brains by incorporating the following into our daily lives:

  • Eat a balanced breakfast: Don’t skip breakfast in the mornings. When we are more intentional about eating healthy, well balanced breakfasts in the morning it will increase brain activity and boost our energy levels.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids: Omega 3 fatty acids can influence mood and behaviour. It can be found in fish, meat, and in nut oils.
  • More Vitamin D: Vitamin D increases levels of serotonin in the brain.
  • Exercise: This helps with de-stressing; it also releases feel good hormones.
  • Don’t overdo caffeine: Coffee and teas with caffeine in it can act as a stimulant, which in turn can increase levels of anxiety.
  • Drink more water: Drinking more water keeps you hydrated, flushes out toxins, increases energy, promotes weight loss, and boosts your immune system.
  • Emotional eater: Some people eat when they are happy, or when they are sad or anxious, while others won’t eat anything at all. Before falling into the trap of emotional eating, pause for a moment and ask yourself: “Are my emotions influencing my need to eat right now?” Be in control of your emotions, and don’t let them dictate to you what you eat. Respect yourself enough to eat the right kinds of foods that will nourish your body.
  • Do more de-stressing activities: De-sressing activities are things that help you to relax and they make you feel good whilst you are busy doing them. This could be going for a walk along the beach, reading a good back, painting, or meeting a friend for coffee. It could be anything that makes you feel less stressed and happy.

A healthy lifestyle not only changes your body. It changes your mind, your attitude and your mood.