Proven Methods to Increase Mental Health

Why is good social,emotional & psychological health so important?

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

    It reduces:

· risk of emotional and behavioural problems

· violence and crime,

· teenage pregnancy

· drug and alcohol abuse

· it will reduce psychological pain

           

How to Increase Your Mental Health

·         Try to spend your leisure time participating in your community doing something active rather than playing video games/watching TV.

·          If you are religious get involved in your church.

·         Practice mindfulness (focusing on the now without judging)

Diet for Mental Health Part 1

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Berries -good sources of
 antioxidants& nutrients

What You Eat Affects Your Mood!

Inflammation is associated with psychiatric disorders,especially clinical depression.Psycho-social stress and anxiety can start the inflammatory response in the brain,¹⁰ this stress causes oxidation in the brain which  damages parts of the brain including the parts that regulate mood and can result in cells dying.This process increases your chance of depression and uses up nutrients like fatty acids,zinc and magnesium causing more damage to the brain.Antioxidants (lutein,lycopene,zinc,vitaminE,A,C,beta-carotene & selenium) can help as they protect body cells from the damaging effects of oxidation.Omega 3 fatty acids,EPA specifically reduce inflammation.¹¹ 

A diet rich in antioxidants,nutrients and EPA will help your immune system and cells in both the brain to prevent and reduce symptoms of psychiatric illness.

Poor Nutrition is a Risk Factor for Mental Illness ³