Our mental health can be impacted by so many things: the people we’re around, the environments we’re in, the jobs or stress we encounter on a daily basis, and even things we don’t always realize, like our diet and media choices. It’s true, everything we absorb (literally or emotionally) can shape how we see the world, as well as how we feel.

So, if you find yourself struggling mentally, here are some things to look into to perhaps make subtle, yet positive shifts.

Your Diet

Is your diet causing mental health issues? What we eat/drink can directly impact how we feel. For example, if you drink a lot of coffee for energy throughout the day, you may not even realize how burnt out your adrenals are. Chronic high caffeine intake can lead to fluctuating hormones, ever-changing cortisol levels, dependence, and in a worst-case scenario, addiction. While coffee every so often isn’t bad, per se, it can be dangerous if it’s continual or inn high amounts over time.

The same goes for other types of foods, too. Foods that are high in fat can lead to weight gain. A diet that’s abundant in carbs can lead to energy levels that are super high and then super low, and so on. It’s best to try to eat and drink in moderation, and with a nutrition-focused lens so that you’re balanced and regulated. This in turn will help your emotions to be balanced and regulated as well.

Stress Levels

Our emotions are impacted by what we experience in the day-to-day. If you work a high-stress job, or find yourself dealing with a lot of high-pressure situations (family, work, or otherwise) chances are, your emotional state is going to be impacted. While there isn’t always something we can actively do about stress, what we can do is become more aware of our surroundings and reactions.

Whenever possible, shifting out of overwhelming situations is key. If you can outsource (especially with work!), if you can ask for help, or if you can simply say ‘no’ to something you don’t have the bandwidth for at the moment, that will help.

Your Physical Self

Our emotions are often impacted by physical ailments or conditions. If we’re feeling weak, tired, or injured, this can shift our brain and make us feel negative. (Our brains are very powerful!) The same goes for our physical basics. If we feel like something is off, and we aren’t functioning optimally, this can trick our minds into thinking more negative thoughts.

While we can’t always ‘fix’ or control physical situations, what we can do is be safe and take advantage of preventative care whenever possible. If you find yourself feeling sick or injured, don’t wait! Take care of yourself, check in with your doctor, and don’t be afraid to get check-ups or check-ins (you’d rather be safe than sorry).

As far as preventative care, make sure you get regular appointments for your eyes and ears, and pay attention to warning signs. If you can notice symptoms early, you’ll be able to seek care and support early. For example, learning the relationship between dementia and hearing loss can help you know what to look out for in order to protect yourself both physically and mentally.

Your Sleep

Finally, you should take issues with your sleep very seriously! If you aren’t sleeping well, it’s undoubtedly going to impact your emotional state. While you can’t just ‘snap your fingers’ and magically fall asleep, you can create better bedtime routines and habits, take supportive supplements, and make better choices during the day (especially with food or caffeine) to help support your sleep cycles.

You may also want to consider your sleeping environment, too, and how you can make your room or bed more conducive for a restful night.

These are just some suggestions, but hopefully they help you see the connection between brain and body. Your mental health is often related to many physical areas of your body. As long as you see those connections and begin to work to repair what’s happening on (or underneath) the surface, you’ll get back on the right track.

 

Featured Image Credit:Valerie Ushakova