Healthy Eating, Healthy Mind

It’s just as important to take care of your mind as your body. That’s why, this national Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17th May), Restore have partnered with Good Food Oxford to show how our relationship with food can impact how we feel.

Recent evidence suggests that what and how we eat can have an impact on our mental health, but it doesn’t take much to make a positive difference.

Why not start with one of these five simple steps:

1. Eat Regularly

Eat at least three meals a day. Missing meals, especially breakfast, can lead to low blood sugar, causing low mood, irritability, and fatigue.

2. Eat Good Mood Foods

Try not to eat too much processed sugar and highly refined carbs (such as white breads and white rice). These cause instant spikes in energy, but quickly wear off, leaving you feeling low and tired.

Instead try foods that are rich in folic acid (like leafy greens), and Omega-3 (found in many fish and seeds) which elevate your mood and keep your brain healthy in the long-run.

3. Eat With Care

At your next meal, take it slowly and listen to your body. Eating mindfully – that is, with with attention and intention – can prevent binge and emotional eating.

4. Eat Together

Where possible, spend your meals catching up with friends and family. Making regular connections with others increases our positive emotions, and builds emotional resilience over time.

5. Eat Outside

Step away from the keyboard! Studies show that taking a lunch break restores energy and makes us more productive. In the long run it decreases stress levels and improves our attitude to work.