Some people who are managing mental health conditions may turn to food to self-soothe or find emotional support—others may avoid or limit food intake. These choices can create discomfort for the brain and exacerbate pre-existing feelings. For- tunately, increased mental strain can be remedied by making different—and healthier—food choices. A healthy mind and body are essential elements in coping with mental health issues or other related conditions.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 in 10 adults eats the recommended amount of fruits or vegetables, so you may need to strive to eat more of those essential food groups. Regardless of if you’re battling a mental health condition, fruits and vegetables are crucial for maintaining good health. In addition, health experts recommend incorpo- rating the following into your diet to help improve mental health:
- Fermented foods (e.g., kimchi, miso, kombucha, kefir and yogurt)
- Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmon, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, avocado and olive oil)
- Spices (e.g., turmeric, oregano, rosemary, ginger and garlic)
- Tea (e.g., green, chamomile and herbal)
- Vitamin D (e.g., eggs, forti- fied milk, mushrooms and salmon)
One of the best ways to sus- tain a healthy diet is to stock your pantry and refrigerator with easy-to-grab nutritious foods. March is National Nutrition Month, making it a great time to assess your nutrition and ensure you’re serving your mind and body well.
Selecting a Mental Health Professional
For the many Americans that seek help from mental health professionals, select- ing a provider is an import- ant decision that should be made carefully. Since mental health professionals all have different roles, it’s important to understand what each can offer. Here are some com- mon types of mental health professionals:
- Counselors, clinicians or therapists are similar but differ based on skills and job responsibilities. They typically choose a special- ization (e.g., marriage and family), but can all evaluate mental health, connect with patients and provide
- Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors. They can diagnose mental health conditions, provide therapy and prescribe and monitor
- Psychologists can make mental health diagnoses based on psychological evaluations. They can pro- vide therapy and additional healthy ways to handle mental health challenges.
- Social workers can evalu- ate mental health and offer therapy services. They can aid in recovery from vari- ous behavioral, emotional and mental challenges.
Who’s the Best Fit?
Finding the right mental health professional requires a bit of work, so here are some ways to locate a provider:
- Get referrals from your physician, friends or family
- Ask your health insur- ance company for a list of
- Check your employer’s employee assistance program for a referral.
Be sure to consider factors that are important to you, such as age, gender, language and cultural background.
You’ll be establishing a long- term relationship with this person, and you need to feel as comfortable with them as possible. Choosing a mental health provider can be chal- lenging, but you don’t need to go through it alone.
Remember to ask family, friends or your primary physician for assistance.