We’re often told repeatedly about the importance of diet when maintaining good health. For example, it can be a great way to boost your immune system, especially during COVID-19. However, the link between a good diet and mental well-being is not often explored.
Despite this, there are many benefits to following a healthier diet when it comes to your mental health – and here are just a few reasons why.
Following a healthy diet can reduce your stress levels.
We all experience stress in our daily lives, but it can become a problem when it appears as often in our schedule as we brush our teeth. Thankful,y one of the most effective ways in which you can reduce stress is through your diet, especially if you try to improve your vitamin D intake.
Following a healthy diet allows you to develop new skills.
Transitioning into a healthy diet also means that you’ll start spending more time in the kitchen, which can be a great way to develop new skills. For example, you could learn to make a delicious tomato chutney from scratch, which can serve as an accompaniment to a wide range of dishes. Culinary skills are not just useful in your daily life, but they’re also great for when you want to impress guests at your next dinner party or special event. If you discover that you have the skill set of an elite chef, you could even use this as an opportunity to start your own food-based business, such as a bakery or cafe.
Following a healthy diet can improve your relationship with your body.
Body confidence is something that we all struggle with from time to time but switching to a healthier diet is a great way begin to rectifying this. This is because it helps you focus on giving your body exactly what it needs instead of eating too much junk food. As a result, you’ll notice that you both look and feel better. Being healthy also encourages you to find the beauty within and to stop caring what others think, as you’ll naturally feel a little more confident in your own skin.
Following a healthy diet can improve your sleep.
Your diet also impacts your sleep. For example, if you consume too much caffeine throughout the day, you might find it hard to drift off at night (no matter how many sheep you may count). As such, switching to a healthier diet improves your sleep, which will help you start every day with some pep in your step.
Following a healthy diet can reduce anxiety.
The right diet can also help you combat a range of mental health struggles, such as anxiety. For example, studies suggest that ‘carbohydrates are thought to increase the amount of serotonin in your brain, which has a calming effect’ and can leave you feeling much happier and less stressed overall. You can also combat anxiety through your diet by avoiding caffeine, which as a stimulant, can exacerbate the negative symptoms of anxiety.
Featured image: Photo by Fernando Brasil on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
