A huge topic, that I am sure we will cover in future posts, is the effect of food on our mood, mental health and wellbeing. Personally, I find myself questioning what I have consumed over the last week and making the correlation with any mental stress that may have risen. When negative thoughts are prominent and seem to reoccur, it is strongly affected by my nutrition. An example is too much coffee, it can cause a lack of concentration and confusion, if it is a particularly less relaxed time.
One very true phrase is ‘‘we are what we eat’, our mind, body and nutrition all affect each other. I am happier when I am not bloated and a few pounds lighter or have ensured that I have performed 20 minutes of Yoga every day, it really helps me personally One example is http://bit.ly/2aEXs8p from Sadie Nardini on Youtube. Whenever I do not make time for it, I really notice the increase in sluggishness and anxiety. Different food plans and exercise work for different people though so it is worth researching.
I did not truly understand the full meaning until I started to learn more about the mind, body and nutrition and how they all work together. There are links to mental health and our diets and good nutrition helps improve cognitive function. We all know we should eat well but are we really aware that bad habits can cause us to feel so miserable? (not least for the fact we regret eating certain things!). We have all seen hyper children because they have had too much sugar, yet as adults many are doing the same! We can change our eating habits and therefore our overall ability to be more positive, less stressed and able to enjoy life.
It is also worth looking into what journey the product has been on. Non organic or non free range can have an effect as energetically what you are consuming has had a negative life span. Things like mass produced chickens who live an awful existence or the way animals are slaughtered in main stream abattoirs, suffering slow painful deaths. We are, off course, then absorbing the negative energies from these foods. I, for one, need the iron at least once a month (although I am investigating other sources) but ensure that the produce is free range, organic and have been handled correctly.
An example of poor diet and the affect on mood is a person whom I worked alongside previously. He would sit and eat processed, unhealthy food and his mood fluctuated so drastically throughout the day – mostly being agitated, negative and sometimes even quiet aggressive. He was totally oblivious to what he was doing, I did advise we get from our bodies what we put in. Eating crisps, diet soda and heavy sandwiches is a sure fire way to ensure one becomes sluggish and even unhappy! Constant processed foods do not have the nutritional content of food produced ourselves or from healthy establishments.
After completing my Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Diploma, where we touched on food and your mood, I was inspired to take up a Nutritional Diploma and am working on a more advanced nutrition course. A great way to investigate how much sugar and processed additives exist in a product, is to check the food labels in detail. The government has detailed guidelines on there website http://bit.ly/2ao2LKV, to assist with understanding the complex labelling.
There are constant reports about new discoveries, which can seem daunting, it is very much about trial and error. What works for one, will not necessarily work for another. One of my friends cannot eat broccoli as it bloats him where as most people are fine. Seeking advice from a qualified nutritionist can be a good option or googling questions, as they arise, can also work!
Namasté
Emma
emma@handserenity.com
+44 (0) 208 492 4627
