Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)
Mental Health Awareness Topic of the Month: Friendly February!
Eat Good Mood Food: Being Friends with Your Body
When we are busy, tired, or stressed, it’s easy to get in the habit of reaching for unhealthy snacks or junk foods, often without realizing. Whilst these may feel comforting or give us a boost in the moment, they can go on to negatively impact our mood and longer-term our overall health. Sugary foods and refined carbohydrates can be especially bad for this – giving us a mood or energy high, then causing us to crash down, feel sleepy, irritable, or both, and that can make us reach for another sugary boost.
We need a varied diet, ideally mostly of unprocessed foods, including vegetables and fruit. Foods that are as close to their natural state tend to have more nutrients and fiber, which support health and happiness in the long term. Nutrients such as omega oils (found in oily fish, some seeds, e.g. linseeds, nuts, olive oil, avocados, and eggs) are associated with better moods and a lower likelihood of depression. Vitamins and minerals are important for how we feel, too. The range of B vitamins, for example are thought to be important for the health of our brain and nervous system, and so helps keep our minds functioning well. These are found in whole grains, yeast, mushrooms, and dairy products.
Mindful Eating
Mindfulness is an intentional focus on one’s thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. Mindfulness targets becoming more aware of, rather than reacting to, one’s situation and choices. Eating mindfully means using all your senses to experience and enjoy the food you choose. This helps to increase gratitude for food, which can improve the overall eating experience. Mindful eating encourages one to make choices that will be satisfying and nourishing to the body. However, it discourages “judging” one’s eating behaviors, as there are different types of eating experiences.
Good relationships matter for happier living.
Social Anxiety: What is it?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Social Anxiety disorder is a common type of anxiety disorder. A person with social anxiety disorder feels symptoms of anxiety or fear in situations where they may be scrutinized, evaluated, or judged by others, such as speaking in public, meeting new people, dating, being on a job interview, answering a question in class, asking for help, or having to talk to a cashier in a store. Doing everyday things, such as eating or drinking in front of others or using a public restroom, may also cause anxiety or fear due to concerns about being humiliated, judged, or rejected.
This fear often feels uncontrollable and can interfere with daily life. People with social anxiety disorder may worry about engaging in social situations for weeks before they happen. Sometimes, they end up avoiding places or events that cause distress or generate feelings of embarrassment. In some cases, anxiety may arise only during performance situations such as giving a speech, competing in a sports game, or playing a musical instrument on stage.
Remember, not all distress symptoms equal a mental health disorder. However, if symptoms persist, you have a change in your level of functioning or a major life disruption due to symptoms, it is important to follow up with your primary care provider to discuss what treatment options may be best for you.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Strategies and Techniques for Kids, Teens and Adult Mental Health
Feel the Benefit of Mindfulness Exercises & Mindfulness Activities
Mindfulness is the ability to be present and free from distraction, giving your fullest attention to any project, conversation, or person in the moment. It’s a quality of mind that results from meditation. Use different mindfulness techniques to raise your mental game in everyday life.
Tropical Texas Behavioral Health (TTBH) the Local Mental Health Authority for Hidalgo County
Tropical Texas Behavioral Health Brochures
Rio Grande Valley Psychiatric Hospitals
