Here are a few practical tips to help boost mood health that tick all my boxes:
1. Love your Bs – B vitamins (B1, 3, 5, 6 and 12) have been shown to help optimise mood and emotional wellbeing. That’s why we all need to love legumes (beans, lentils), seeds and nuts (sunflower seeds, almonds) dark, leafy vegetables (broccoli, spinach) and fruits (citrus fruits, avocados, bananas) as they are full of B nutrients, plus they help reduce tiredness and fatigue, often associated with low mood. If you find it hard to fill up on these B rich foods, bridge the dietary gaps with a supplement like Alive! B Complex Gummies. Packed with all eight members of the family of B-vitamins, these cherry flavoured gummies help top-up the daily diet.
2. Eat a daily rainbow – A colourful plate helps ensure that your body has all the essential nutrients to maintain good health like vitamin C. Vitamin C also helps tick all the emotional wellbeing boxes, as well as being essential for helping to fuel a healthy immune system. Red peppers, guavas, strawberries, kiwis and broccoli all contain vitamin C. Don’t skip breakfast as it will reduce your energy and happy mood levels. And if you are stuck for breakfast ideas, why not try a blueberry and nut oat bake. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and folate which help support the production of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine - hormones that help keep our minds and moods balanced, plus oats boost energy levels too.
3. Enjoy nature – Researchers have found that nature, from a walk across the fields to looking out through a window at birds or the sky, can help improve our moods, reduce stress and for those of us going on long walks increase physical activity which is good news for our health.
4. Immunity TLC – An optimal immune system is dependent on a healthy immune system, so we need to do our bit to help ensure our bodies have all they need to be fighting fit. Studies show that if our nutrition is poor, then our immune response is impaired, which may leave us more susceptible to infections and low moods. Vitamin and mineral supplementation with Alive! Ultra Wholefood Plus will help to strengthen your immunity
5. Stay connected – Maintaining healthy relationships with people you trust is important for your emotional wellbeing. Think about ways to stay in touch with friends and family – by phone, messaging, video calls or social media. And if you suffer from angst about being able to connect in these lockdown times try the herb Rhodiola rosea which has been used for centuries to not just lower stress levels but also to boost energy, which is generally lacking in the winter months.
6. Carry on doing what you enjoy – Make an effort to focus on your favourite hobby if it is something you can still do at home. Or start a new one. Whatever it is, find something that works for you. Doing things, we enjoy is good for our wellness and mind health
7. Ensure you get enough sleep – Good-quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel, so it's important to get enough. If you’re struggling to get to sleep and to stay asleep try a herbal remedy combining Valerian and Passionflower, such as Bonuit Sleep Aid tablets, a natural sleep remedy, will help you to get to sleep more quickly and also sustain sleep