Happy Mind

Staying active is essential for a healthy mind, improving mood, reducing stress, and boosting confidence. Exercise releases feel-good endorphins, helping manage anxiety and daily pressures. We provide resources and tips to help you stay active and support your mental well-being.

What is Mental Wellbeing?

Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It influences our thoughts, how we cope in different situations, decisions we make, our work and relationships, as well as how we feel physically. Many of us go through changes in our mental health and seeking support during these times can be incredibly beneficial. Reaching out for help can empower you, provide strength and offer essential support during difficult periods. If you ever feel overwhelmed, please contact your GP for additional assistance.

My Healthy Way is proud to support Every Mind Matters, which is part of the NHS Better Health campaign.

Every Mind Matters can link you with a range of tips and tools to manage your own mental health, it provides information on supporting others and can assist those needing to find more urgent support.  

On this page you will also find a range of helpful information and links to support as well as access to our FREE 3 day pass.

Quick tips for supporting mental health through nutrition

People don’t always realise that our bodies and our minds are intrinsically linked, and if one area is struggling, the other will be as well. When it comes to nutrition, we often think that we must be on a strict diet in order to improve our health. That is not the case. When we get too hung up about what we can and can’t eat, we often create more stress and negative feelings. Instead, nutrition should be about nourishment, positivity and enjoying what you are eating.

Here are some simple tips to support mental health through nutrition:

  1. Hydrate. Simply make sure you are drinking enough water.
  2. Eat at regular intervals throughout the day, this will help to stop you missing meals and getting too low on energy which can impact how we feel.
  3. Reduce your caffeine if you are having lots of this throughout the day. Caffeine is a stimulant and creates internal stress which can impact our emotional wellbeing.
  4. Boost up your intake of magnesium – this important mineral is key to helping the body to relax – you can find magnesium in nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables and whole grains.
  5. Think about gut health – we produce lots of our serotonin (the feel-good hormone) in our gut. Think about natural yoghurt, fermented foods or probiotic supplements.
  6. Don’t feel guilty if you eat something you think you shouldn’t!
  7. Eat things you enjoy. Try to balance this with lots of fresh produce e.g. fruits and vegetables to still include food you look forward to, whilst getting nutrients to help you thrive.
Sign up for our Nutrition for Emotional Wellbeing course

Supporting stress

Stress is a common experience for most people. From juggling work responsibilities to personal relationships, it can feel like there’s always something to worry about. But did you know that what you eat can have an impact on how well your body copes with stress? In this blog post, we’ll explore how nutrition can help you manage stress and feel your best.

Firstly, let’s look at how stress affects your body. When you experience stress, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol helps your body respond to stress by increasing your heart rate and blood pressure. While this response can be helpful in the short term, prolonged exposure to cortisol can have negative effects on your health. Chronic stress has been linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues.

Now, let’s dive into how nutrition can help mitigate the impact of stress. Research has shown that certain nutrients can help reduce inflammation and protect your cells from damage caused by stress. Antioxidants, for example, can help fight inflammation and support your immune system. Foods rich in antioxidants include berries, dark chocolate, and green leafy vegetables.

Complex carbohydrates like whole grains and sweet potatoes can also be beneficial for managing stress. These foods provide a steady source of energy for your brain and body, helping you feel more alert and focused. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, nuts, and seeds can help reduce anxiety and improve mood.

On the other hand, there are certain foods that can actually make stress worse. Foods high in sugar, caffeine, and processed ingredients can spike your blood sugar and trigger inflammation, exacerbating the effects of stress on your body.

To make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need to manage stress, try to eat a balanced diet rich in whole foods. Focus on incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats into your meals. Limit your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol.

It’s important to note that nutrition is just one aspect of managing stress. Other strategies like exercise, meditation, and therapy can also be helpful. But taking care of your body with nourishing foods can help you feel better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

In conclusion, stress is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to control you. By making small changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can better manage stress and feel your best. Remember to prioritise self-care and reach out for support when you need it. With the right tools, you can build resilience and lead a happier, healthier life.

Sign up for our Nutrition for Emotional Wellbeing course

FREE 3 Day Pass to our leisure centres

Given the overwhelming evidence, it seems obvious that we should all be physically active. It’s essential if you want to live a healthy and fulfilling life into old age.

Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, clinical depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Claim your 3 Day Pass today and put our facilities to the test. With a range of gym equipment, instructor-led exercise classes and a friendly community, we are your place to try something new – we’re here when you need us.

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Find out what MIND says swimmers need to know about mental health problems.

Swimming has helped to reduce the symptoms of anxiety or depression for 1.4 million adults in Britain. Almost half a million British adults with mental health problems have stated swimming has helped to reduce the number of visits to a medical professional regarding their mental health.

View the full article here.

Helpful Resources