Our eating well guide

It is commonly known that eating well is good for our bodies, and in turn, our physical wellbeing. But did you know that what we eat can have a dramatic effect on our mental wellbeing too? According to Mind.org having a good diet can:

• Improve your mood
• Give you more mental energy
• Help you think more clearly

They suggest the following basic steps to get started.

Not eating enough food throughout the day can have a big impact on those who are already susceptible to feeling tired or irritable.

The recommendation is to eat regularly and when you do so, don’t snack on quick, sugary treats – instead find things that release energy slowly, keeping your (healthy) sugar levels high. These types of food are: pasta, rice, oats, wholegrain bread, cereals, nuts and seeds.

Our body is made up of about 60% water and so it is absolutely crucial to keep it topped up and hydrated. Wherever possible we should try to do this through drinking plenty of water. When dehydrated, it could be difficult to concentrate or think clearly, so try to drink between 6-8 glasses of fluid each day.

Vegetables and fruit contain many of the vitamins, minerals and fibre that we need in order to keep our minds and bodies healthy.

A good way to be sure you’re getting a mixture is to look at the colour of each one – try to pick 5 different colours wherever possible. For example: eating a red apple, green broccoli, orange butternut squash, yellow banana and purple cabbage that day will ensure you’re getting a good range of nutrients.

Protein contains amino acids – these are crucial for looking after our mental wellbeing because they make up some of the chemicals in our brains that regulate our thoughts and feelings.

Most of us know that protein can be found in meats, but you can also find it in fish, eggs, cheese, legumes (peas, beans and lentils), soya products, nuts and seeds.

If you’re having a tough day, you might reach for a coffee to give you that extra boost of energy. Whilst a little here and there is okay, it’s good not to become reliant on it, as it only gives you a short burst of energy.  Plus, if you have caffeine before bed, it can disturb your sleep routine, leaving you feeling tired and unrested. For more information about how important sleep is, read our article Your Sleep Matters.

If you have caffeine before bed, it can disturb your sleep routine, leaving you feeling tired and unrested. For more information about how important sleep is, read our article Your Sleep Matters. 

Caffeine can be found in many foods and drinks including energy drinks, cola, tea, coffee, and chocolate. If you enjoy a lot of these, try weaning yourself off by switching to decaf occasionally.

Looking after your health isn’t just about eating well – although that is, of course, important and our eating well guide is a great starting point for building healthier habits.

But it’s also about looking after your body through movement, and ensuring that you sit properly with correct posture. Rise and recline chairs can help you to do just that. They offer the ability to recline back to a position that suits you, supporting your neck, head and shoulders while you’re relaxing. And when you’re ready to get up, a simple touch of a button enables the chair to gently rise, making it easier for you to stand up while taking the pressure off your joints.

It’s important to get the right riser recliner chair to suit your needs and your specific posture. We offer both single and dual motor riser recliner chairs that both fully recline: the backrest and footplate can be moved independently to give you more control over your seated position.

Our chair fitting service can help you find the right chair for you. Our experts will guide you through the process, but if you can’t make it to one of our showrooms, we can visit you in the comfort of your own home. We’ll discuss the furniture styles you’re interested in and bring these along for you to try. Request a home visit to experience the HSL showroom from the comfort of your own home.