According to Natasha, a diet has a close relationship between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract.
A healthy diet is an essential part of everyone’s life. It plays a pivotal role in shaping up a person’s internal as well as external health. The things you intake in your body reflects in your day-to-day lives.
One of the most established and best names in the fitness industry, Natasha Kanade explains how a diet and lifestyle has a longing impact on our emotions. She is a clinical and sports nutrition consultant, lifestyle coach and health expert based in Mumbai.
She is the founder of ‘Transform With Natasha’, a fitness centre which has given a new meaning to good health. With expertise in the field, the health expert has over the years transformed the lives of many people giving them a new outlook towards life. So far, we knew, eating healthy has a great impact on the body but did we know about its impact on our mind and emotions?
Yes, there is a connection between diet and emotions and it comes from the close relationship between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract.
She further states that following a healthy lifestyle and eating the right food promotes the growth of “good” bacteria, which in turn positively affects neurotransmitter production. Dopamine “happy hormone” and Serotonin “mood stabilizers” are two examples out of many hormones and the complex role it has in the body.
Like an expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel and good servicing. Eating a balanced diet that contains all the right amount of all macros and micros – nutrients and regular exercising can have a great influence not only on the body but also on the mind.
Start with the steps mentioned below as stated by Natasha Kanade to experience the drift in your mood.
Exercise – Regular exercise for at least 30 – 40 minutes each day improves one’s overall mood.
Good diet – Include fresh fruits, vegetables ( try eating more seasonal and local ), unprocessed grains and the right amount of protein-rich food. Avoid sugar, high sodium, canned food and fried as much as possible
Sleep – A good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health. In many cases, sleep deprivation is linked to higher cortisol levels” the stress hormone”. So ensure you get the right amount of sleep with good nutrition and exercise for good health and peaceful mind.
Get sunlight and fresh air – keeping your rooms/office windows shut all days with sunlight in will not only make your mood dull but also deprive you of your daily vitamin D dose. Wake up in the morning and keep your windows open for some time at least and in the night for a deeper sleep.
Meditation – We all know about how meditation can calm your mind and your body and this is not a theory based on hallucination. This is based on practise and many have experienced a sudden change in their mind, thought process and in turn, the body feels light and more energetic. You become much more productive.
Bond and connect – when you meet, cuddle, kiss or hug someone you love, your brain releases Oxytocin known as the “love hormone”. The same can be felt when you are with your pet. Making a deeper connection and socializing with the right kind of people can have a great effect on your mood too.