Mindfulness is an ability we all possess within ourselves and can be greatly beneficial for everyone when used correctly. Caring about what you eat is also part of the training for this essential skill. Here is how superfoods can support mindfulness and improve your mental health.
What is mindfulness?
With so much happening at work or in our personal lives, we tend to rush through the day without giving it much thought. It is easy for many of us to take moments for granted and pay less attention to our surroundings than we should. Consequently, this can lead to us losing touch with our bodies – not truly knowing how we actually feel in the present moment.
Mindfulness is a basic human ability that we all naturally possess. While some might have misconceptions about its purpose, it broadly refers to the act of being aware of our environment, who we are and what we are doing. This includes how we are feeling and the way we experience life.
Mindfulness is described to be a form of meditation where one explores and wanders into the inner workings of the mind and body. The aim is to take in every moment and pay attention to the detail, such as the cold breeze on your skin or even the fresh scent of rain that fills the room. It is also about simply understanding your own emotions and the causes and triggers of your behaviour.
Continuously practising mindfulness actually allows you to remodel the way you think and refine the senses. But most importantly, through this training of the brain, we are able to identify our thoughts, sensations and emotions without judgement, creating a peaceful state of mind.
Can mindfulness improve my mental health?
Practising mindfulness allows us to become more attached to our bodies and aware of what is good or bad for us, mentally and physically. Rushing through life and trying to balance our work and personal lives can cause a lot of stress, and in extreme cases can even lead to depression and other mental health problems, without us realising. However, mindfulness training can help us to take a step back and examine our situation. In doing so, we are able identify our own problems and negative feelings that we have been holding on to.
Ultimately, this allows us to become our own therapists in a way – tackling issues we find hard to understand in order to let them go.
Continuous awareness helps us recognise early signs of stress and anxiety, while allowing us to establish a peace of mind where we do not rush through our lives but rather take our time and appreciate the journey. Recognising the problem is always the first step to recovery and change can only be achieved through a constant training of the mind.
How can superfoods help me achieve mindfulness?
Another way to practise this skill is through mindful eating. This means paying greater attention to your diet and your lifestyle to understand its effects on how you feel. From this greater awareness of what you are putting into your body, you are able to recognise and discontinue bad eating habits.
It is essential to nourish your body with certain foods in order to support your body’s natural processes. Superfoods are a great way to boost the amount of healthy nutrients and minerals that you consume, leading to a more positive and well-balanced lifestyle. In short, better food makes you feel better!
If you care about your body by considering what you are consuming on a daily basis, this will give you a better framework for understanding other aspects of your life and improving your overall mindfulness.
Superfoods for mindfulness
Here are four superfoods that can support mindfulness and improve your mental health!
The famous Ashwagandha is a medical herb that is mostly sold in powder form and can help your body fight against stress. It also lowers blood sugar levels, improves brain function and helps fight off signs of anxiety and depression.
Baobab powder contains over 50 per cent fibre and high levels of vitamin C, therefore supporting immune health and maintaining energy throughout the day. It also improves blood sugar levels due to its high-fibre content.
Turmeric is said to be one of the highest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant superfoods. The yellow powder typically maintains healthy joints, a good digestive system and overall health.
Lastly, Cacao powder is relatively famous due to its chocolate flavour. Unlike processed chocolate, cacao does not contain sugars and any other chemicals. The superfood is also rich in iron and antioxidants that can help protect the heart against diseases.
These superfoods can be consumed in a number of ways, including in savoury dishes or when added to your daily smoothies. Their beneficial nutrients can support mindfulness and help you achieve a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Begin practising mindfulness today with these superfoods to greatly benefit your physical and mental health!
