Mental Health and Nutrition
In honor of World Mental Health day having been this past Tuesday, I wanted to discuss the connection between our mental health and our nutrition/digestive wellbeing.
In recent years, researchers have increasingly become more aware of the connection between our mind and our gut. There have been studies linking our mental health with the performance of our digestive system along with our risk for chronic illness. In this article published by the National Cancer Institute, researchers noted finding that stress hormones have the potential to wake dormant cancer cells and possibly provide an environment for them to grow in.
In regards to mental health’s effect on our digestive system, I always use the example of how people say they have a nervous stomach/butterflies in thier stomach. Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can cause our digestive system to function improperly. Those diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome suffer from these symptoms and can often find that when their mental health is struggling, so is their stomach.
So how do we improve our mental health and thus improve our overall well being?
Here are some of the ways I have improved my mental health and my overall wellness:
Talk therapy: Speaking with a therapist can be a complete game changer for everyone! Having that outlet can allow you to sort through your thoughts and emotions and come up with solutions and methods of coping that will lead you to a better mental state.
Getting enough sleep: This is one of the most underrated yet most important things for our mental health and wellbeing. Achieving 7-9 hours of sleep each night will make a huge difference in cognition, energy levels and the overall functioning of your body.
Social media cleansing: Unfortunately, we have entered an era where social media is a key component of our lifestyles. Social media can bring about some good things, but certainly comes with a lot of bad. I suggest filtering through your social media including who you follow and the things you view and reducing the toxic posts/accounts that cause stress, comparison and obsessive thoughts to run your life. Unfollow, unsubscribe and limit your exposure to content on social media apps. A great way to reduce your time spent on social media is to set limits on your usage using your phone settings.
Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a great way to release and sort through those feelings in a constructive way.
Surround yourself with good people: Keeping a positive circle of loved ones around you will lift you up and keep you strong during difficult times! Don’t be afraid to part ways with those who drag you down rather than lift you up.
If you are looking for ways to improve your nutrition and supplementation to better your mental health, send me an email to nutrikaywellness@gmail.com to book a session today!