World Mental Health Day is celebrated every 10th of October, and this year’s theme is “Mental Health in Unequal World” as a global advocacy in spreading mental health education and awareness in this time of health crisis, COVID-19.
This pandemic has brought great changes and challenges that affect most of us mentally, physically, and emotionally. With these inequalities happening around us, our nutrition and mental health are at risk. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health issues around the world often co-existing with other serious illnesses.
Pursuant to the Republic Act No. 11036, the Mental Health Act, the state commits to carry out the proper measures in ensuring that mental health is valued and promoted in various forms.
Therefore, studies have been conducted to widen the options in addressing the problem on this health matter. Studies found out that our nutrition affects our capacity to think and feel. What we eat reflects who we are. Just like any other organ in the body, our brain needs adequate and proper nourishment to function to its fullest. Feeding the brain with the right amount and kind of food can support its important roles and functions in the body. Hence, here are some useful tips and advice to keep the brain healthy and going:
- Keep a regular early bedtime.
- Keep up with good personal hygiene.
- Consume a wide variety and adequate healthy food.
- Do regular physical activity.
- Proper allocation of time to work and time to rest.
- Do the little things that makes you happy.
Some dietary recommendations that are linked in helping our mental state are incorporating colored fruits and vegetables, variety of meats, fish, dairy, and poultry and reducing high intake of free sugar and high fats in the diet. Also, eating breakfast may seem simple to do yet a lot of us are skipping this important meal without knowing that it substantially helps improve in setting our mood right, helps us to think clearly and gives us the energy to go through the day. Hydrating our brain also helps us to concentrate better thus it is recommended to drink 6-8 glasses of water daily.
Moreover, the role of proper diet with vitamins and minerals performs essential functions that plays a crucial part in supporting and protecting our mental health. Wherein, a deficiency of these micronutrients can cause negative effects to our mental capacity.
Nevertheless, to ensure your proper nutrition that you’re getting the right foods, it can help to seek professional support from a nutritionist-dietitians present in your area. They will be able to help your individual needs and plan a diet that suits you. (PNFP Lizelle L. Bete)
References:
World Health Organization. (2021). #HealthyAtHome - Mental health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/campaigns/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus/healthyathome/healthyathome---mental-health?gclid=CjwKCAjwtfqKBhBoEiwAZuesiA7u02SRcuQ4U4cj_iiyXCr7uQJCuISmZlJo9EBe5iuY08e9sJT0XxoCWFYQAvD_BwE
Mental Health.Org. (2017, March). Food for thought: Mental health and nutrition briefing. Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/food-for-thought-mental-health-nutrition-briefing-march-2017.pdf
Mind.Org. (2021). Food and mood. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/food-and-mood/about-food-and-mood/
Department of Health. (2018). IRR FOR MENTAL HEALTH ACT SIGNED. doh.gov.ph. https://doh.gov.ph/press-release-/mental-health-act-IRR
