Ever noticed that your food choices are directly linked to your mood? When mood is low, we often crave carbohydrates, sugar, or junk in an attempt to feed the foully. Contrastingly, when feeling content, we often make healthier choices, considering the long-term health benefits of the food, rather than its immediate effect or release! Its commonly known that carbohydrate and sugar cravings are due to a dip in serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain affecting mood and something carbo/sugars help fuel. But when low mood is more than a passing wave, a healthy diet is absolutely paramount.
It is difficult to make healthy food choices when depressed, and often people in this state of mind fall into a trap of making poor food choices in an attempt to improve mood, all the while impairing physical health, brain function, motivation levels and capacity to exercise. After a binge of junk food, feelings of guilt and disgust often creep in and exercise can fall to the wayside, as energy levels plummet. All in all, the attempt to improve a low mood was completely counterproductive.
Being aware of your relationship with food and eating behaviour is an important first step to making healthier choices. Taking a moment to ask yourself ‘why’ before you eat, will help you become a more mindful eater. The next step is finding a distraction or an alternative ‘comforter’ to food. What do you love doing? What is another indulgence that can replace the habit of eating to improve mood?
Mindful eating is a good practice to be in, whether you are suffering from depression or not. Although, it may be coined as the latest craze, in actual fact, it’s more traditional than trendy; our grandparents would have eaten this way. It involves simple things like, sitting down to eat, not eating on the run, enjoying your food, guilt free and appreciating the nourishment it provides your body. Read this article for more on mindful eating.
Eating well may also improve energy levels, giving you the motivation to exercise, the best non-pharmaceutical drug going around, with benefits too long to list. But in short, exercise will improve cognitive function and mood by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, whilst recuperating self-esteem with its positive cosmetic effects.
If you are experiencing low mood or depression, the first step to better health, is to seek professional help. On your journey to wellness, taking a holistic approach by considering all of your lifestyle choices and relationship with food, will help you make good changes, for life.
For more information on our team of Clinical Psychologists visit www.psychlogyconsultants.com.au