My diet for mental health.
This diet has significantly improved my mental health.
It’s not just about the food I eat.
We think of diets as the food we eat to stay physically healthy. But, what are we feeding our minds?
Your mental diet affects how you think, feel and perform on a daily basis. I follow these steps everyday to stay mentally happy and healthy.
1. A healthy mental breakfast.
I used to wake up, check my phone and watch the news. I felt groggy, anxious and overwhelmed.
Instead, I actively choose to start every morning with something empowering and energising. For me it’s visualisation, gratitude and dancing.
What’s your healthy breakfast? Natural light, breakfast with family - find what works for you.
2. A clean mental fridge.
I regularly eliminate toxic things from my mind - sour thoughts, out of date worries and emotional leftovers. Then I refill my mind with positive ideas & beliefs to motivate consistent action.
This means journaling, receiving coaching for continuous learning and visualisation.
3. Feeding the good stuff.
Content is everywhere! I can’t control what gets published, but I can control my own feed. I unfollow accounts and people that make me feel insecure of anxious.
I follow information that uplifts, empowers, educates and intellectually challenges me.
This isn’t just about social media. It applies to people in real life. Gossiping, complaining and negative energy is addictive junk food for the brain.
Instead, I choose to have deeper, more creative and positive conversations.
4. Knowing my triggers.
Just how allergies and intolerances can be a trigger for the body, specific people, traumas and emotions can trigger the mind.
I either face them, address them or eliminate them. Facing them is about acceptance but not pacifism. Addressing them is responding in the way I choose. Eliminating them is rewiring my mind to dampen my emotional reaction to the trigger.
5. Staying well fuelled.
This is simply drinking water and eating a colourful diet. Your brain needs water to function.
A variety of colourful fruits, vegetables and unprocessed food provides your brain & body with the nutrients it needs.
6. Compassionate discipline.
Diets don’t work overnight. I put in the reps almost every single day. On the days I don’t stay consistent, I turn my focus to getting back on track - not focusing on the day I missed.
I have an accountability buddy. I make it social. I know my why, my purpose. Training the mind is difficult, but letting your mind control you is much more difficult.
It’s not one size fits all and you don’t need to be perfect. You are unique. Learn and experiment for what works for you, stay curious and keep learning.
Want to train your mental fitness? Join Remap’s next event.
