Generations before us always reached out to the garden to heal ailments of the mind and the body. Food was used as medicine. Over time, with the development of prescription and vitamin supplements, we have lost touch with the healing power of food.
When you think about it, are there foods that always make you feel happy and energized? Are there foods that often leave you feeling tired and sluggish? It’s not just coincidence, each food has a physical and mental effect on us. Choosing to cut out the foods that make us feel bad and focus on those that make us feel good is key to healing not just physically, but emotionally.
Healthy eating sets us up with the right energy to be able to do the work needed to emotionally heal.
Many believe there are three keys to healing through food:
1. Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Antioxidants offset the effects of stress. They help to promote relaxation and put us at ease. Antioxidants reduce free radicals and have been found to improve the symptoms related to anxiety and depression.
Foods like this include complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, fruits, nuts, beans, and seeds.
2. Increase your protein
Having an adequate amount of protein in your diet allows for the proper functioning of your brain and body overall. If you experience feelings of shakiness, dizziness, or a lack of balance, protein can help with this.
Foods like this include meat, but also plant protein like legumes as well as fish.
3. Decrease foods that make you feel bad
Stressful foods like caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, foods with pesticides, and foods filled with artificial chemicals are the start. You may also find that you feel bad when you eat other foods that may seem “healthy”.
Decrease the number of stressful foods that you eat and you will feel an increased feeling of well-being. Feeling good physically is the key to healing your mind.
If this seems daunting, pick one thing to change at a time. After all, with healthy eating, you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. So why not? Give it a try, and let us know what has helped you!
Not all issues can be healed with just food, more complicated issues may also need the help of a medical professional or licensed therapist.
We are all in this together. Learn how we can help.