In today's hustle and bustle of daily life, meditation is vital, regardless of whether you are a spiritual person or not.
Fun fact: meditation has been an integral part of many religions and was first spoken of in written form in 1500 BC in India.
Your body thrives on a state of balance. It relies on complete nutrition to function at an optimal level — if it's dealing with any nutrition deficiency, it can be much harder to gain mental clarity and reach that zen state. It's important to have a healthy diet and to fuel your body for more mindful meditation.
1. Boost your body with healthy fats
The human brain is mostly made up of fat and relies on getting enough of the right fats to run effectively. Boosting your intake of healthy fats gives the brain what it needs to perform at a higher level. The fats required by the brain include saturated, monounsaturated, cholesterol, omega-3 and omega-6 — and some of the healthiest, tastiest foods are full of good fats. Try adding a variety of healthy fat foods to your diet, such as avocados, tahini, pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, organic ghee and walnuts.
2. Incorporate fermented food into your diet
In nutrition, we understand that the gut and the brain are intrinsically connected — the gut microbiome is finally starting to receive the attention it deserves for its effects on the brain and mental health. When the bad bacteria in your gut outnumber the good, your digestion can become compromised, leading to poor absorption. When you're not absorbing your nutrients, your mind is at a loss for the nutrition it needs to be optimally fired up.
The good news is you can replenish the good bacteria in your gut by eating more fermented foods. Start simple and try adding some of these to your diet: sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir and miso.
3. Eliminate sugar from your diet
Too much sugar can be totally draining — both physically and mentally. We often equate sweets with love, adding an extra emotional layer to our eating habits. In excess, sugar can lead to mental fatigue, nervousness, hyperactivity, anxiety and low mood — all more reason to reduce how much sugar you take in.
It's best to eliminate refined sugars, such as white sugar, brown sugar and corn syrup. Instead, focus on small amounts of natural sugars like raw honey, stevia or maple syrup.
Tips for getting off sugar:
- Drink plenty of green vegetable smoothies and juices to help keep the body mineralised and energised.
- Add fruit to your diet to curb sugar cravings.
- Keep yourself hydrated.
- Have healthy fats in the first half of your day, like chia seeds, almonds or ghee.
Meditation is something everyone can do to improve their mental and emotional health. You can do it anywhere, without special equipment or memberships. Trying a style of meditation suited to your goals is a great way to improve your quality of life, even if you only have a few minutes to do it each day — and eating the right kind of nutritious food will help you optimise your results.
