23 Nov Nutrition and Mental Health During Stressful Times

A whirlwind of events over the past few months has added daily stressors to our lives, making it harder to cope, let alone thrive. A healthy approach to nutrition helps us manage external stressors and calibrate our mental health. A well-nourished brain allows us to cope with stress gracefully.

It’s essential to understand the importance of nutrition and its impact on our brain since there is a physiological component of stress that affects brain health. Stress causes us to deplete neurotransmitters at a rapid pace, making our brains work harder.

This overload leaves people feeling more fatigued, lethargic, and discouraged. Putting the right food in our bodies helps us replenish our brains, which leads to better stress management. There are specific nutritional changes you can make to help naturally reduce your stress levels:

• Exercise daily
• Increase your protein intake. Protein balances blood sugar levels, reduces cravings, and increases energy levels. It also helps replenish neurotransmitters depleted by stress.
• Avoid sugar
• Add vegetables and complex carbohydrates to your diet
• Consider adding amino acid supplements **

To learn more about the effect nutrition and supplements have on brain health, check out this podcast, “Nutrition and Mental Health During Stressful Times”.

** Please always note to discuss any new supplements you want to add to your diet with a licensed professional before beginning anything new.