Diet is often seen as something that affects the body only, but diet affects everything about us. In fact, physical wellness and mental wellness are intertwined.
Diet and healthy eating affect your overall mental health and mood. Research has shown that there is a psychological, biochemical and physical connection between what we eat and our mental health.
To perform at an optimum level, eat healthy! Diet will help you increase productivity because a good diet helps you stay focused and stay alert. Here are eight ways how:
1. Eat Protein
Eating protein boosts mental focus and concentration. It will also give you the energy you need to complete any tasks that might come up from all that focus. Or, it can give a feeling of being full and sated, so you can maintain focus and not be distracted from hunger or a growling stomach.
2. Fibre
Fibre is great for sustained energy over a long time period, enabling you to stay focused for long periods of time.
3. Be Careful with Snacking
It may seem easier to just eat a quick chocolate bar or candy, but the feeling of fullness and alertness is temporary, and those kinds of snacks can even deplete nutrients. A good alternative for snacking is blueberries. They boost mental health, focus and energy.
Another good snack idea is nuts. Fluctuating blood sugar is often a cause for lack of energy and alertness, and snacking on nuts provides protein to fight that.
No preparation required. Easy!
4. Get Your B Vitamins
Energy levels and focus are enhanced by consuming B vitamins like B6 and B12, either in food form or supplement form.
5. Water
Yes! Water. If you want to stay alert, drink water. Dehydration is a main cause of fatigue, and it is a simple fix to drink water. Not coffee, or energy drinks, that can lead to further dehydration.
If you must have something other than water, green tea contains caffeine but not at the same levels as coffee, soda or energy drinks. So, it will give energy but won’t stimulate you to the point where you get a stress reaction in your body.
6. Bananas
Bananas contain B vitamins, vitamin C, fiber, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, all of which contribute to increasing alertness and decreasing fatigue. Their greatest fatigue fighters are the potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium and phosphorus they contain which are electrolytes. Electrolytes fight dehydration.
7. Yogurt
Tiredness can also be caused by digestive issues, and eating yogurt is a way to improve digestion. Without good digestion, the effort you put into your diet will be wasted, because you won’t be able to absorb the nutrients you take in properly.
8. Spinach
Besides being packed with nutrients, spinach is full of iron and B vitamins which will aid in feeling more energized. A good idea for lunch is a spinach salad. It will make you more alert for the afternoon.
These are healthy foods to include in your diet if you want to stay focused and alert.
