Whether you’re treating yourself to a hearty dish or sharing a meal with your loved ones, food is an important part of our everyday lives. And, making time for it can contribute towards our health and happiness in several ways. If your New Year’s resolution is to focus more on self-care, or if you’re simply looking for ways to boost your mood this coming year, here we’ll share a few ways the food you eat can have a positive impact on your wellbeing.
Eating regularly can boost your mood
We eat food for more reasons than simply because we are hungry. The act of eating releases feel-good hormones in your brain, which increase your mood as well as your overall health if you focus on healthy foods. At the very least, you should be eating often enough to keep your blood sugar at the right level. If your blood sugar drops, you might feel tired or experience a low mood.
Eating at regular, consistent intervals during the day and choosing foods that release energy slowly will help to keep your sugar levels steady – these include whole wheat pasta, bread, and cereals such as rice and oats. If you’re concerned about eating too much, you may find it better to eat little and often rather than three large meals a day.
Eating gives your body what it needs
Another reason why we eat is so that we can get all the vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy from our food. As well as being good for your physical health such as your heart and brain function, the right food can also help to improve your mental health and mood.
To give your wellbeing a boost, try eating more foods with healthy omega three and six oils in them such as fish, nuts, and seeds. Even green leafy vegetables can be a great source of the nutrients we need to be alert and upbeat, such as iron. Another way is to find out what your body needs and base your diet around that. If you have a deficiency, for example, you may feel sluggish and find it difficult to meet your wellbeing goals.
Scratch cooking is a form of self-care
While eating is fun, cooking a meal can also be a stimulating experience and even a mindful activity. Preparing your own meals keeps your body and mind active, and things like measuring ingredients and learning new recipes can be a form of brain training as well as being highly meditative.
Cooking from scratch using fresh ingredients can help you stay away from overly processed foods high in excess sugar, salt, and fat, and you can more easily customise and even get creative with your dishes if you make them yourself. What’s more, nothing beats the sense of achievement you feel when tucking into a delicious homemade meal!
Food encourages social interaction
Image credit: monkeybusinessimages/Bigstock.com
Food is a great focal point for social interaction, whether you’re hosting a dinner party, preparing a treat for a special occasion, or simply getting the family together for the evening meal. Socialising and maintaining close bonds with the people we love is another way to release happy hormones and one of the most important things we can do to improve our wellbeing, and food can help us achieve that.
Trying new cuisines is also a way to broaden your horizons, learn about different cultures, and feel more connected, so make your mealtimes more engaging by trying new recipes and foods from around the world.
Eating well can do more than be good for our health – it’s also important for our wellbeing. The tips in this guide are just a few of the ways your cooking and eating habits can complement your self-care goals, so focus on food and boost your mood in 2023.
