WE’VE ALL HEARD THE SAYING, “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT,” BUT HAVE YOU EVER STOPPED TO THINK ABOUT HOW FOOD AFFECTS NOT JUST YOUR BODY, BUT YOUR MIND? IT TURNS OUT, THE FOOD WE EAT HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL CLARITY, MOOD, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING. THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION —THE IDEA THAT WHAT YOU PUT INTO YOUR BODY INFLUENCES HOW YOU FEEL, THINK, AND FUNCTION ON A DAILY BASIS.
HOW FOOD FUELS THE MIND
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FOOD, WE USUALLY FOCUS ON ITS PHYSICAL BENEFITS—STRONG BONES, GLOWING SKIN, MORE ENERGY. BUT YOUR BRAIN NEEDS FUEL TOO! CERTAIN FOODS ARE PACKED WITH NUTRIENTS THAT CAN IMPROVE FOCUS, REDUCE STRESS, AND BOOST YOUR MOOD. THINK OF YOUR BRAIN AS A CAR: IF YOU PUT IN LOW-QUALITY FUEL, IT’S NOT GOING TO RUN SMOOTHLY. BUT IF YOU FILL IT WITH PREMIUM FUEL (AKA NUTRITIOUS FOOD), YOU’RE GOING TO FEEL SHARPER, CALMER, AND MORE FOCUSED.
1. Leafy Greens
SPINACH, KALE, AND OTHER GREENS ARE RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS AND NUTRIENTS THAT HELP PROTECT YOUR BRAIN CELLS AND IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION. TOSS THEM INTO YOUR MORNING SMOOTHIE OR ENJOY A FRESH SALAD FOR A MENTAL BOOST.
2. Nuts and Seeds
PACKED WITH HEALTHY FATS AND OMEGA-3S, ALMONDS, WALNUTS, CHIA SEEDS, AND FLAXSEEDS ARE LIKE BRAIN FOOD SUPERHEROES. THEY HELP REDUCE INFLAMMATION AND BOOST BRAIN FUNCTION, SO SNACK ON A HANDFUL WHEN YOU NEED A BRAINPOWER BOOST.
3. Berries
BLUEBERRIES AND STRAWBERRIES ARE NOT ONLY DELICIOUS, BUT THEY’RE ALSO LOADED WITH ANTIOXIDANTS THAT HELP IMPROVE MEMORY AND SLOW DOWN BRAIN AGING. ADD THEM TO YOUR BREAKFAST OR GRAB A HANDFUL AS A SNACK.
EATING FOR A BETTER MOOD
EVER NOTICE HOW YOU FEEL SLUGGISH AND CRANKY AFTER EATING A GREASY FAST-FOOD MEAL? THAT’S BECAUSE WHAT YOU EAT CAN HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON YOUR MOOD. FOODS RICH IN VITAMINS AND MINERALS, LIKE WHOLE GRAINS, FRUITS, AND VEGGIES, CAN HELP STABILIZE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR AND IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL MOOD. ON THE FLIP SIDE, PROCESSED FOODS, SUGAR, AND TOO MUCH CAFFEINE CAN LEAD TO ENERGY CRASHES AND IRRITABILITY.
NOURISHING YOUR MIND WITH HOLISTIC EATING
HOLISTIC EATING GOES BEYOND JUST CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOODS—IT’S ABOUT CREATING A BALANCED RELATIONSHIP WITH WHAT YOU EAT. THIS MEANS LISTENING TO YOUR BODY AND EATING IN A WAY THAT NOURISHES BOTH YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING. INSTEAD OF RESTRICTING OR FOLLOWING FAD DIETS, TRY FOCUSING ON EATING A VARIETY OF WHOLE FOODS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL ENERGIZED AND HAPPY.
1. SAVOR EACH BITE
PAY ATTENTION TO THE FLAVORS, TEXTURES, AND SENSATIONS OF THE FOOD YOU’RE EATING. SLOWING DOWN ALLOWS YOU TO ENJOY YOUR MEAL AND PREVENTS OVEREATING.
2. STAY HYDRATED
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF WATER. STAYING HYDRATED IS ESSENTIAL FOR MENTAL CLARITY AND FOCUS. KEEP A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND SIP OFTEN.
3. BALANCE YOUR PLATE
AIM FOR A BALANCE OF HEALTHY FATS, PROTEINS, AND COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES IN EACH MEAL. THIS HELPS KEEP YOUR BLOOD SUGAR STEADY AND YOUR MIND SHARP.
