FoodsForThoughtRD

General Mental Health/MH Awareness, Nutrition for Mental Health

YOU Are NOT Alone – Know the Problem and Find Your Tools to Help

Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes October 10 as World Mental Health Day. This helps raise awareness, acknowledge disparities in access to care, and overall, to help fight the stigma of mental health. 

Today, I want to share some of my favorite simple ways to eat smart for your brain and mental well-being. More importantly, however, I also want to share some useful resources that you might find helpful.

Nowadays, screening for and identifying signs of mental health disorders couldn’t be easier and simpler. Not sure if the symptoms you’re experiencing are related to a mental health disorder?

Thanks to Mental Health America, in just a minute or less, you can take a mental health test (linked here).

How can you reach out and get help? 

Mental Health Care Matters – Help is Available!

Thanks to advances in research and our understanding of how important self-care, therapy, and medications are, for many, recovery is possible! Of course, eating a healthy diet is just one part of practicing self-care.

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach towards improving mental health care, it’s important to explore options and find what works for you. 

By finding the right combination of self-care measures, paired with therapy and medication as needed, much relief can be found! Sometimes, the hardest part is just believing in and preparing for change, and taking the first steps towards changes.

Prioritize Self-Care

  • Adequate sleep and rest – recharge your battery so you don’t feel too depleted keeping up with normal daily tasks. This is critical to keep harmony in your normal hormonal regulation. Read more about sleep hygiene (linked here). 
  • Physical activity – move your body! Physical activity may be the cheapest and most-underrated, all-natural form of antidepressant and anti-anxiety remedy! Exercise also helps improve sleep for many people.
  • Protect your brain –  Too much exposure to certain foods (particularly deep-fried), heavy metals, and other environmental pollutants can increase oxidative stress to the cells of the body and the brain. Many of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients in foods have important protective effects and help combat exposure to these brain pollutants. 
  • Stress – high levels of stress can diminish the body’s ability to digest foods and contribute to poor digestion or absorption of certain nutrients and/or other digestive problems.
  • Eat a Healthful Diet! – Last but not least, can’t forget about how important it is to get your basic daily food groups, every day.

My Top 5 Daily Tips for Nutrition for Mental Health

  • Drink plenty of water – for most, about ½  gallon (~64ounces) or more daily
  • At least 2-3 different fruits – frozen berries are my top choice!
  • At least one serving of dark leafy greens – spinach and kale are my favorites
  • Essential fats daily – nuts, seeds, nut butters, or seafood most days for me! 
  • Eat at least 3-4 servings of whole grains

Resources for Mental Health Care

Besides screening, now, what to do about it? Maybe doing a screening or reading more about mental health leaves you feeling you could use some additional help?

The first step is to ask for help and find the right specialist. Ask your medical provider to help you connect to a specialist and schedule an initial appointment.

Don’t worry if you don’t feel like a great fit with the first mental health specialist you meet. Not everyone is a good fit and you might have to be patient to try again with another person that works well for you.

Start Small. Start Big. Doesn’t Matter, Just Start.

Like I often say, start small with changes! At least, that’s what I find works for most of us.

Find the right resources, the right support, the right help for you. And get started on your healthful changes.

The important thing is to start with something. Some positive changes if you’re looking to improve your mental well-being.

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Jason

0 by