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We cannot be well without a healthy mind, and to have a healthy mind, we need nourishment for a healthy brain. 

 

Mind-Body Connection

 

Mental health is physical health, and physical health is mental health - it works two ways. Way too often I see that people focus on counting calories to improve their physical health. But calories do not at all determine health. Health consists of many different things: the happiness in your life, the relationships you have, how you move your body and how you nourish yourself. 

 

If you are focusing on calories only, you are not going to improve your physical health and your mental health will decline. Instead, to nourish your brain you want to incorporate foods into your diet that supply your body with key vitamins, essential fats and high-quality protein  to keep your brain healthy.

 

Why It’s Important 

 

A diet rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients helps protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation. Oxidative stress is a process that can cause cell damage and is linked to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

 

Addressing the mind is a significant undertaking, but when it comes to diet, prioritizing foods that support brain health goes a long way toward nurturing a healthy mind. This translates into feeling good, fulfilled, aligned, and free from unexplained anxiety and depression.

 

So, what can we do to support our brains?

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• Avoid consuming highly processed foods. Highly processed foods tend to be high in sugar, added fats and salt and negatively impact your brain. 

• Reduce toxins found in personal care and cleaning products  

• Reduce alcohol - this can impact your brain volume as well as mental well-being. 

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Nourish your body by:

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• Choosing whole, home-cooked, seasonal, local, and organic foods whenever possible helps the whole body and the brain feel their bio-individual best. To feed both brain and body, consider eating leafy greens, fatty fish, berries, and walnuts. 

• If you eat animal foods, focus on pastured eggs, grass-fed meat, and wild fish.

• Include healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, walnuts, and egg yolks.

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Additionally

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• Sleep well. Getting proper sleep can dramatically affect mental and physical abilities. To feel and function at your best, establish a regular sleep schedule, maintain a dark, peaceful sleep environment, consider limiting exercise and electronic devices close to bedtime. 

• Get outside. Studies suggest that vitamin D protects neurons and reduces inflammation. Make sure to get enough vitamin D by spending time in sunlight, sitting near a UV lamp, or consuming cold-water fish and seafood, mushrooms (that have been exposed to sunlight), egg yolks, or fortified foods. 

• Move your body. The world’s longest-living people live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it. Improve your mind-body connection by incorporating simple, consistent movement throughout your day, like planting a garden, forgoing mechanical conveniences, taking walks, and exercising in whatever ways make you feel good.

• Connect with others. The mind-body benefits of community and connection include immense wellness and longevity. Support psycho spiritual health by developing your place within a community where you can feel connection and support or prioritize spending time in relationships.

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