Take time to unwind, to promote a healthy gut

As we have shown on the website, there is a relationship between your mental health and wellbeing and what you eat. So, how does what you eat affect your mood and your happiness?

Here are a few tips to keep your stress levels down:

1. Select delicious, healthy food options that feed good gut bacteria

We know healthy food is good for our body, but it turns out it’s also good for our mental health and wellbeing.

“Many scientists consider the gut as a second brain, because we realise the food we consume...foods that are good for our heart health and diabetes prevention, are actually critical for our mental health too,” said Dr Demaio.

Eating plenty of fruits, grains, fish and nuts gives your body fibre and nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, zinc and vitamin C, which are essential for our gut bacteria and regulate our mood. Bottom line? They help you feel good!

2. Aim to get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise per day, either in one session or broken up during the day.This year has been hard, and you aren’t alone if exercise has dropped off your priority list.

But we know that doing some form of exercise is an easy and free way to boost both your mental and physical health, and there are even more activities to try now that restrictions have eased.

3. Aim for around 8 hours of sleep nightly.

A night of good sleep will ensure your body has the rest it needs for the next day and leads to long-term benefits.