If you are dealing with mood-related problems and mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, there are things you can do and changes that you can make in your life to help boost your mood and overall mental health.
Your diet and what you are putting into your body is one of the most important components of your mental and physical health. If you are not getting the vitamins and nutrients that you need, it can lead to major problems such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Here are a few of the most important vitamins and nutrients to prioritize when it comes to your mental health.
Omega-3s
Omega-3 Fatty acids are known to be closely linked to mental health and can even act as an antidepressant. There is also some evidence that omega-3s may be useful as a treatment of bipolar disorder that is related to depression. It should be noted that depression is a multifaceted problem and depression due to insufficient omega-3s may be one type and while increasing this nutrient in your diet may help some, it is not the answer for all. Some foods that are rich in omega-3s include fish, walnuts, flaxseed oil, leafy vegetables, and more.
Vitamin B12
According to the National Institutes of Health, Vitamin B12 is required for proper fred blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. A deficiency of Vitamin B12 can lead to a number of symptoms including depression, confusion, poor memory, and more. Foods that have a lot of vitamin B12 include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and more.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is found in many protein-based foods and dietary proteins. Tryptophan is known to help in the production of serotonin in the body. There is evidence that has shown that depleted tryptophan, and in turn depleted serotonin, can cause cognitive impairments that are associated with lowered mood. However, tryptophan supplements were found to have positive effects on attention and memory. Some food sources that tryptophan can be found in includes cheese, chicken, egg whites, fish, milk, and more.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is important for normal brain function and development as well as keeping the immune and nervous systems healthy. The National Institutes of Health, has said that vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with a number of problems including depression, confusion, weakened immune system, and more. Some common foods that are rich in Vitamin B6 include pork, fish, bread, poultry, and more.
It should be noted that while vitamins, nutrients, and supplements can all play a role in improving both mental and physical health, there are a number of other factors and treatment routes that should be considered.ย
For one, seeking professional help in the form of a therapist may be best in order to get behavioral health counseling services. Along with therapy sessions, medication is sometimes a good route to take when seeking out substance abuse services and there are specific medications that can be used to help those who are dealing with problems like depression, anxiety, and more.
Moreover, there are other lifestyle changes that you can make to help improve your mental health situation. For example, exercise is one of the best things you can do to help prevent problems like depression.
It is important that these issues get solved when they pop up, if they are neglected, it can lead to a number of other problems. For example, there are a number of negative coping mechanisms that some people will fall victim to when they are dealing with depression. For example, substance abuse is one of the most common problems associated with those suffering from depression. While treatment facilities and rehab exist to help people with these issues, if they can be avoided in the first place that is preferable.
Overall, your mental health is something that needs to be prioritized as it can have a larger impact on your day-to-day than you might realize. Making a few simple lifestyle changes can be an easy way to boost your mood and improve your mental and cognitive functioning.ย
Author Bio
Matthew Boyle is the COO of Landmark Recovery, a treatment center and rehab in Kentucky, Indiana, and Oklahoma. Matthew began his career after graduating from Duke University, from there he started Landmark Recovery with the goal of helping all those who have fallen victim to addiction through the opioid crisis and drug epidemic that has affected so many Americans.
