We all know that fruit and vegetables are good for us, but let’s face it - the thought of eating a salad every day makes some people want to cry.
One thing I will give plant foods though, is that they really can (and do) help to positively impact our moods.
The link between food and mood has been proven in many studies, but sometimes seeing (or eating) is believing.
For the past 3 weeks my job has been extremely busy. I have been working from 8am-6pm most nights and I have been very, very stressed.
One thing that this experience has highlighted for me on multiple occasions, is that on the days that I don’t make time to fuel my body with proper nutrition, the stress remains with me for the entire day.
Alternatively, on the days that I have made a conscious effort to take proper care of myself and get some fruit and veg into my system, within 20 or so minutes after I’ve eaten, I feel So. Much. Better.
My stress levels have recently been so high that I’m at the point where I get a jolt of anxiety every time an email arrives in my inbox.
Any time my work phone rings, I’m instantly annoyed and it takes all my strength to bring myself to answer it – if I actually do. Meanwhile, I’m silently cursing the person on the other end wondering why they can’t just send me an email instead – I don’t have time for this.
If someone asks me to do something extra, I’m ready to Frisbee my computer out the window, crawl under a table and lie in the fetal position for the next 6 years.
Maybe I’m just going through a rough patch, maybe it’s time for me to start looking for something else and move on. Anyway, that’s beside the point.
Today I was stressed for most of the morning. Mondays are always the worst. I had so many urgent to-dos and a flood of new requests and I just Did. Not. Want. To.
I couldn’t get my brain into gear and I was finding it hard to concentrate. I spent so much time stressing and grumbling that I found it hard to focus on anything.
My morning started off in much the same way as the rest of my work mornings recently – coffee at 8am, breakfast cereal with milk around 10am.
This time however, instead of making something quick and easy for lunch like Vitaweet biscuits with cheese or cheese and Vegemite toast, I decided to do something good for myself and make a salad for lunch.
Right on cue, around 20 minutes later, my stress had almost melted away. It was almost like hitting the reset button on my day. I felt happier, I found it easier to concentrate, and I could get things done without spending 10-15 minutes complaining about it first.
This wasn’t the first time that plant foods had significantly improved my crappy mood. Last week I noticed the same difference after eating half a papaya, and on a different day, the same thing happened after I made myself a freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice.
When you’re feeling stressed, it’s very easy to stop taking proper care of yourself the way that you know you should, but honestly, it’s so worth it.
Next time you’re feeling stressed and having a bad day, it may be a good idea to try to avoid the sweets and comfort food and reach for some fruit and veg instead.
What have you got to lose (apart from the negative attitude)? It may just work for you. And if it doesn’t? Well, at least your body will appreciate it.
Happy to have you here and I hope you have a great day/ night!
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Hope to have you back soon. Thanks for reading.
Lisa. 😊 xx
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