The Connection Between Diet & Mental Health

L H D B E N E F I T S M E N T A L H E A L T H M I N U T E Mental Health Minute The Connection Between Diet & Mental Health Eating well isn’t just good for your body—it’s great for your mind too! The foods you choose can boost your mood, sharpen your thinking, and help you handle stress better. At the same time, your mental well-being can influence your food choices. The good news? Making small, simple changes to your diet can have a big impact on how you feel every day! Here are some ways to empower yourself to make sustainable dietary changes that benefit your mental health: • Be thoughtful about your meals - Plan meals ahead and include nutrient-rich foods like omega-3s, antioxidants, folate, vitamin D, and magnesium for a healthy mind. • Swap processed foods for whole foods – Choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats for a more nutrient-dense diet. • Stay hydrated – drinking plenty of water supports overall health, mood, and cognitive function. • Listen to your body – Track your meals and moods in a food journal to identify foods that boost your energy and well-being. Your diet greatly affects your mental health. Eating nutrient-rich foods while limiting sugar and saturated fat can boost focus, cognition, and mental well-being. March is National Nutrition Month—a perfect time to prioritize healthy eating! For guidance, consult a registered dietitian. 401 Pennsylvania Pkwy, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46280 LHDbenefits.com Office: Population Health: [email protected] The Benefits of Talk Therapy Talk therapy is a valuable tool for managing life’s challenges, from grief to daily stress. Speaking with an unbiased professional can help you find solutions and develop healthy coping strategies. Talk therapy offers several benefits, including the following: • Treatment for mental health conditions – Talk therapy effectively treats past and present mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, phobias, addiction, and trauma. • Emotional support - Therapy provides a safe space to explore emotions with a trusted professional. • Healthy coping strategies - A therapist can teach helpful coping strategies for stress and emotional distress. • Improved relationships - In therapy, you can address relationship challenges and improve communication. • Personal growth - Therapy helps identify negative patterns, promoting positive change and personal growth. • Stress management - Stress can arise from daily life or major events like divorce or loss. A therapist can help you navigate these challenges and offer a safe space to express your feelings. Talk therapy can ease emotional distress, but it’s helpful to start even before challenges arise. Seeing a therapist early can make future difficulties easier to handle. Contact a mental health professional for guidance.