The Connection Between Diet & Mental Health

MARCH 2025 MENTAL HEALTH MINUTE Mental Health Minute The Connection Between The Benefits of Talk Therapy Diet & Mental Health Talk therapy is a valuable tool for managing life’s challenges, from grief to daily stress. Speaking with Eating well isn’t just good for your body—it’s an unbiased professional can help you find great for your mind too! The foods you choose solutions and develop healthy coping strategies. can boost your mood, sharpen your thinking, Talk therapy offers several benefits, including the and help you handle stress better. At the same following: time, your mental well-being can influence your • Treatment for mental health conditions – Talk food choices. The good news? Making small, therapy effectively treats past and present simple changes to your diet can have a big mental health conditions like depression, impact on how you feel every day! Here are anxiety, phobias, addiction, and trauma. some ways to empower yourself to make • Emotional support - Therapy provides a safe sustainable dietary changes that benefit your space to explore emotions with a trusted mental health: professional. • Be thoughtful about your meals - Plan • Healthy coping strategies - A therapist can meals ahead and include nutrient-rich foods teach helpful coping strategies for stress and like omega-3s, antioxidants, folate, vitamin emotional distress. D, and magnesium for a healthy mind. • Improved relationships - In therapy, you can • Swap processed foods for whole foods – address relationship challenges and improve Choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, communication. whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats • Personal growth - Therapy helps identify for a more nutrient-dense diet. negative patterns, promoting positive change • Stay hydrated – drinking plenty of water and personal growth. supports overall health, mood, and • Stress management - Stress can arise from daily cognitive function. life or major events like divorce or loss. A • Listen to your body – Track your meals and therapist can help you navigate these moods in a food journal to identify foods challenges and offer a safe space to express that boost your energy and well-being. your feelings. Your diet greatly affects your mental health. Talk therapy can ease emotional distress, but it’s Eating nutrient-rich foods while limiting sugar helpful to start even before challenges arise. and saturated fat can boost focus, cognition, Seeing a therapist early can make future difficulties and mental well-being. March is National easier to handle. Contact a mental health Nutrition Month—a perfect time to prioritize professional for guidance. healthy eating! For guidance, consult a registered dietitian. 401 Pennsylvania Pkwy, Suite 200 Office: Indianapolis, IN 46280 Population Health: LHDbenefits.com [email protected]