Taking Care Of Your Mental Health

By : Team Popeye's 

World Mental Health Day has been around for almost 30 years. First celebrated in 1992, this international day is dedicated to educating and raising public awareness about mental health and the fight against stigma.

And yet, do you feel that enough awareness has been raised during the last 29 years? It's still a sensitive issue here in Quebec and in many other places around the world. It's still taboo to talk about it. However, we all know someone who has suffered from it. So why is it such a sensitive topic?

According to the Canadian Mental Illness Association, one in five people in Canada will personally experience mental health issues or illness each year. That's a lot of people who are affected in some way.

We may not save the world by writing this blog, but we may help one individual (or many) to better equip themselves. We've set a goal for ourselves by offering you three essential products in order to fight mental health.

1- Fish oil

The first product is fish oil. Fish oil simply remains one of the greatest tools because of its effectiveness on two fronts: EPA and DHA. The former is especially helpful in managing inflammation, while the latter is particularly important for brain and cognitive health.

EPA from fish oil is a potent anti-inflammatory which helps reduce symptoms associated with depression. Now, I can see many people scratching their heads and saying: "What's the connection between an anti-inflammatory, fish oil and mental health?”

This is where we come to the rescue!

There is an increasingly studied link between inflammation and mental health issues, specifically anxiety disorders and depression.

These studies have shown that consuming EPA is key in reducing the harmful effects of inflammation on our entire body and that includes what happens between our ears.

On the other hand, DHA is also important for mental health, as this lipid makes up brain cells. DHA deficiency causes the brain to have trouble learning and storing new memories.

Do you remember your best Christmas, your best party, your grandmother's traditional mashed potato recipe? How you met your boyfriend or girlfriend, your son's first skating session? I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Having memories is important. We keep them in a special place in our brain where everything is properly stored, which means that doing something to prevent damage is essential.

In addition, low DHA levels are associated with accelerated brain aging. The brain loses its cognitive functions more quickly than it should, so don't wait until you are affected too. The best gift you can give yourself is the following: “Take care of yourself!” 

2 - Magnesium

Magnesium is another staple product when cognitive function comes into play, as our body actually feeds on magnesium. Magnesium is a supplement already consumed for general health or after a workout, but few people know that it also offers mental health benefits.

Regular magnesium consumption helps manage anxiety. This is due to magnesium's role in regulating neurotransmission, particularly by controlling neuronal stimulation.

Most importantly, remember that magnesium reduces hyperactivity of the brain. While an overactive brain is an anxious brain, magnesium ensures that any unnecessary activity is reduced.

Many forms of magnesium can be helpful. However, magnesium L-Threonate has the greatest ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus decreasing neuroinflammation. This improves mental function and reduces anxiety.

If you are less anxious, you will feel better about yourself right away. And let’s be honest, you're also less likely to hear the traditional saying: “Relax, just take it easy!”

Ah! The famous life saying...just like it was that simple, Bob!

Joking aside, you’ve read it before, but I’m going to tell you again: “Take care of yourself!” 

 3 - Ashwagandha

Our third and final recommended product is ashwagandha.

The first time I read that word, I was like: “What was that?”

Despite its unfamiliar name, this fascinating adaptogenic herb has been around for over 3000 years. It’s rich in antioxidants and, to this day, is exceptional for reducing stress and boosting energy levels.

Indeed, ashwagandha is particularly outstanding in fighting against mental disorders such as stress, anxiety and anxiety-induced depression.

Having better control over your stress, feeling more alive, more energetic and less anxious, is really a big step in the right direction, isn't it?

It’s also been shown to reduce chronic stress, as one study using ashwagandha showed a significant decrease in anxiety and insomnia.

In this regard, it often turns into a vicious circle. We are anxious, we feel anxious, we sleep less and, obviously, we become more tired. Fatigue continues and increases and it reflects on our performance, work, mood, etc.

Finally, ashwagandha can also protect against memory loss and loss of brain function due to injury or illness due to its antioxidant functions.

After knowing what this adaptogenic herb can prevent, please: “Take care of yourself!”

I don’t usually end blogs this way, but I will be adding a more personal touch today, an editorial note.

Taking care of ourselves. Self-care is truly the greatest thing we can gift ourselves.

If you're not doing well, if you're anxious, if you're underestimating yourself, if you feel like everything is falling apart, take a step back and get some help. Talk to a friend, see a specialist. I am speaking from experience, and this truly is the greatest gift I have ever given myself. Asking for help is a sign of intelligence, not weakness. It's a great tool to get us back on track and sort out ideas that can be too often scattered.

Find a music genre that helps you relax, an activity that allows you to clear your mind, anyhow, a way to free yourself from all this negative thinking.

Take care of yourself. I’m telling you it’s the greatest gift in the world!