Posts

Food Builds Your Body And Mind While Convenience Processed Foods - mood and food

Image
  The relationship between the foods we eat and mental health is complex but often referred to as mood and food, the premise being that healthy eating determines mental health. This LIFTu article explores a root cause of mental health disorders - nutrient deficiencies caused by eating a diet high in junk food. A brief history of food. The first step in understanding the rich difference between fresh live food and processed foods is understanding a brief history of food. For most of history, people didn’t have access to the variety of foods we have today. Food was seasonal and local, and people generally ate what was available. Their diets varied depending on where they lived and the time of year. Over time, as transportation and storage technology improved, people had access to more types of food from more places. This led to the development of the processed food industry, mass-produced food for a global market. Processed foods are typically high in sugar, fat, and salt and low in...

Healthy body healthy mind; how does physical activity enhance mental well-being?

Image
  While a variety of factors are involved in what can impact mental health, one is often forgotten: physical exercise. You see when you're physically exercising, your body produces a hormone known as endorphin. This hormone functions to numb any pain present within our body and makes us feel elated (hence the nickname "happy hormone"!) - but it can also have the same effects on our mind. Thus the phrase; Healthy Body, Healthy Mind. Let's attain that right now! Mental Health on a Chemical Level and the Brain The benefits of regular exercise go far beyond physical fitness. Exercise is an effective treatment for mental health issues like anxiety and depression and can also improve cognitive function. But how does regular exercise encourage a more positive and healthy mindset? One way is by impacting the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. For example, exercise has been shown to increase serotonin levels, a chemical that affects mood and happiness. Research has also...

Mountains out of molehills? It's the seemingly insignificant moments that can get you through it.

Image
  In a world made up of mountains out of molehills, where insignificant events seem to spiral out of control and build into tremendous negative experiences, it can be easy to forget that positive life-changing outcomes often come about from the cumulative effect of the little things, too, aka, the brief moments that make life worth living. For me, these little things saved my life when I was at my lowest point; The endless understanding from my partner, the dog's endless excitement of walkies, and kind words from friends. Those small moments of connection and humanity kept me going and ensured the cogs kept turning. The power of gratitude for positive mental health to liftu . It sounds cheesy, but it’s true: gratitude can change your life. I’ve always been inwardly grateful, but I've not always been great at expressing it outwardly; the knowledge that all things end and the fear that includes the good times. But when going through my most challenging times, I made a concerted e...

Boost Your Performance and Mental Health: The Power of Exercise & Group Meet-ups Isle of Wight

Image
  Are you looking to improve your work performance and overall well-being? Consider incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine to LIFTu .  Research has shown that exercise has physical benefits and a positive impact on mental health. Are you feeling stressed or burnt out at work? A study conducted by Shimazu et al. (2015) found that individuals who exercise regularly are less likely to experience burnout, with exercise acting as a protective factor against emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Moreover, exercise has been shown to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and increase cognitive function. Are you looking to improve your job performance? A study by Huang (2010) found that individuals who exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, are 25% more likely to have high job performance. Additionally, regular exercise has been shown to improve overall self-esteem and confidence, leading to increased motivation and better relationships with colleagues. Ar...

Discover the 6 Key Tenets of Taoism for a Fulfilling and Harmonious Life

Image
Do you ever feel like life is moving too fast? (even on the Isle of Wight) Do you find yourself constantly striving for more yet never feeling truly fulfilled? If so, it's time for us to LIFTu by taking a page from the teachings of Taoism. Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy that emphasises living in harmony with nature and embracing the natural flow of life. While these concepts may seem foreign in our modern, fast-paced world, they hold valuable lessons that can help us find greater peace, fulfilment, and happiness. Here are six key tenets of Taoism and how you can apply them to your life today: Embrace Wu Wei: Let go of the need to control everything and instead go with the flow, accepting things as they are. Practice mindfulness and cultivate an attitude of acceptance and detachment, which can lead to greater peace of mind and overall happiness. Practice mindfulness and self-awareness: Make time each day for quiet reflection or meditation, and pay attention to your thought...