The changes stemming from the pandemic have been stressful for many Canadians. According to Statistics Canada, 46 percent of Canadians say their perceived stress level is somewhat or much worse than before COVID-19. Women (49%) reported worsening stress levels slightly more significantly than men (44%).
At Nature’s Emporium, we believe that when you eat well, you live better. The nutrients we do— or don’t—feed our bodies impact multiple biochemical processes that influence our mood and behaviour. These processes also affect our brain processes, including higher-level cognition, such as social decision-making.
Below are four things you can do to help reduce anxiety and better manage your mood and mental wellness. It’s important to note that unchecked anxiety can significantly impact your day-to-day life. Be sure to take the care and time to give yourself what you need to feel more balanced.
Balance Mood And Anxiety with Help From Magnesium
The mineral magnesium is responsible for over 800 functions in the body. Most notably, it plays a role in helping us calm the nervous system and help us find a night of better sleep. It’s also involved in the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps control sleep and wake cycles.
Get Happy with Healthy Fats
Getting enough healthy fats does so many wonders for the body and mind. Foods like avocados, walnuts, ground flax, organic eggs, and wild fish support mood regulation, blood sugar regulation, sleep, and energy balance. These foods have positive effects on our hormonal system, which helps keep our cognitive and emotional health in check.
Find Calm with Help from Ashwagandha
An exciting adaptogenic herb that is well studied and proven to be beneficial for stress and anxiety and overall enhancement of well-being. It can be used for acute stress, which is great for someone experiencing anxiety, or long-term use for someone experiencing chronic stress.
Increase Your Zinc Intake
The hippocampus, an area of the brain, controls learning and mood and contains some of the highest zinc concentrations in the body. These are the most critical storage sites of zinc and are involved with our emotions. One study on 100 female high school students found that zinc deficiency may negatively affect mood. The best food sources of zinc include oysters, red meat and poultry. Pumpkin seeds, legumes and other plant-based foods also offer high amounts of zinc.
