Why is nutrition important?
Food can have a big impact on how we feel, both physically and emotionally. There is a strong link between nutrition (what we eat) and our health & wellbeing. Eating a balanced diet is important as it plays a big part in looking after our overall health, giving us the best chance of staying well, feeling good and being at our best.
A well-balanced diet gives our body the nutrients it needs to function well, which means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
There is a strong relationship between the food we eat and our mood. What we consume directly affects our blood sugar levels, which can then impact on our mood, how we feel, as well as our energy levels. A poor diet with lots of sugar and processed junk food can lead to: fatigue and irritability, depleted energy levels, higher stress levels and poor mental focus.
5 Benefits of living a healthy lifestyle
- Decreased risk of disease. Dis-ease in the body occurs when it’s stressed, nutritionally imbalanced, and/or neglected of self-care
- More life-force energy
- Increased happiness, less depression
- Increased feelings of self-worth
- Save money
A healthy diet rich in nutrients, especially B vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats, will nurture your brain and balance the neurotransmitters that regulate your mood. Refined sugar may give you a quick rush of energy, but it actually worsens your fatigue in the long run.
Whole fruits, seeds, and nuts will naturally boost your energy and keep you up throughout the day.
How important is sleep?
Sleep is a basic requirement for human health – it is when the body and mind can rest and recover. However, research suggests that over 20 per cent of people regularly suffer from sleep problems.
How does sleep affect health?
Sleep problems can cause poor concentration and memory, mood changes such as feeling depressed or irritable, and impaired judgement and physical coordination, among other effects.
How much sleep should you be getting?
Whilst different people have different sleep needs, most adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep a night to feel properly refreshed and function at their best the next day. Adults over 65 years of age may only need between seven to eight hours. Anything less than six hours a night for the average adult and less than five hours for older adults is not recommended by experts.
10 foods and drinks to help you drift off
Almonds, Kiwi, Turkey, Chamomile tea, Cherries + cherry juice, Watermelon, Fatty fish, Dark chocolate, Walnuts, And Passionflower tea.
Although alcohol may help a person fall asleep quickly, it hinders sleep quality, often causing fragmented (interrupted) sleep.
