Mental Wellness has been in the spotlight since the beginning of the pandemic. So many
people continue to face challenges and all of the ongoing hardships are really starting to take a
toll on the way people feel. The isolation of being quarantined or opting to stay home out of
caution has made it a challenge to maintain overall wellness.
Your mental wellness can impact your life negatively or positively. The good news is you
can take positive steps forward to help improve your mood, and it starts with what you eat!
Here are brain foods that can help boost your mood and improve your mental wellness.
Bananas
Bananas are a fruit bowl staple! This convenient snack works to boost serotonin levels.
Serotonin is known as the "feel-good" hormone that works as an instant mood booster that’s
perfect when you are on the go.
Berries
Berries are also fast-acting mood enhancers. A study in 2016 shows that blueberries, in
particular, can make you feel positive and energized in as little as two hours. Blueberries are a
super low-calorie snack but contain very high levels of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants help lower
the level of free radicals in your body. High levels of free radicals in your body are harmful.
Walnuts
These nuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants. Omega-3 is a fatty acid the
body does not produce naturally but is essential to mental wellness. Omega-3 is a secret
weapon in the fight against Depression, Alzheimer's, and many other psychiatric disorders.
Whole-grains
Whole grains are good carbs full of an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan is
needed for your body to produce high levels of serotonin on its own. Steel-cut oatmeal is an
excellent source of this vital amino acid.
Yogurt
This delicious snack is essential to improving your gut health. Have you ever heard a bit
of bad news and felt it in the pit of your stomach? That is because a freeway of
neurotransmitters connects your gut and your brain. A probiotic bacteria called lactobacillus,
found in yogurt, directly impacts mental health.
The Gut-Brain Connection Is Important
The freeway between your gut and your brain is why what you eat can impact how you
feel. These foods may not necessarily be your first choice when you are not feeling your best,
but they can easily be added to some of your favorite foods as a topping!
If you must reach for the bucket of ice cream, try a smoothie packed with brain foods
instead. Most comfort foods people tend to gravitate towards may be harmful or have very little
to no impact on our overall mental wellness. Keep these five foods in mind next time you need a
"pick me up," your mind will thank you.
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