Everyone knows there are many physical benefits when we are losing weight, but maybe not everyone knows that weight loss also benefits our mental health. As reshape.me said, weight loss can affect your body and brain. Doing weight loss may increase your positivity and optimism and reduce your social anxiety. There are tons of mental benefits to make you more focused on losing weight, but according to Bodyline Clinic, the top 3 mental health benefits to losing weight that you should focus on if you are looking for motivation to keep on with your weight loss journey are:
Reducing Social Anxiety
Most people who are over obese or truly unhappy with their bodies suffer from social anxiety. Losing some pounds and getting more fit may make them feel better and dramatically improve their mental health. In contrast, eating out in a restaurant, using public transport, and meeting new people for the first time may increase your anxiety-inducing if you are unhappy with your body size. In that situation, you may feel like an intimidating scenario. Still, when you can lose some kilos and feel your clothes loosen, your confidence will automatically increase, and you will naturally feel less anxious and -of course, you become healthier and more fit. When you notice your physical change and your diet is successful, your anxiety will decrease and maybe disappear.
Boost Self Esteem and Confidence
Boosting your self-esteem and confidence is another pretty self-explanatory mental health benefit to losing weight. According to Bodyline Clinic, making yourself feel better in your appearance is the first milestone to boosting your confidence. When you feel better about your appearance, you may feel confident to go out of your comfort zone and try new things. If you are not happy with your body or think you are overweight, you will have social anxiety.
Confidence is likely a physical trait; therefore, it is not only about belief in yourself but also about increasing self-esteem You may see in the way you hold yourself and a genuine smile on your face.
Reducing Symptoms of Depression
Many people who have an overweight body or feeling unhappy with their body start to feel low or depressed. When you feel depressed, it can affect the way you eat, and it can cause some of you to gain more weight while others may lose it. However, if you feel depressed about your body weight and turn to food for comfort, it can be a vicious cycle. Taking action to make your appearance look better and lose some pounds will improve your confidence, and then you may feel more optimistic and reduce the symptoms of depression you are experiencing.
It is essential for you to choose a realistic way to lose weight, and you have to keep your weight loss plan healthily. Not only manage your eating habit during your weight loss program, but you may also do a healthy exercise plan so your physical and mental health can be maintained during the weight loss program, as per Bodyline Clinic.
The Relation between Mental Health and Food
Food is an important contributor to proper body functions.
Similar to any other body part, your brain functions best with healthy food as well. A healthy diet with essential nutrients will nourish and protect the brain from the oxidative stress of free radicals, which may damage brain cells (NCBI). Likewise, eating processed and refined foods make it hard for the brain to get rid of the waste product. Many studies have shown that if you like to consume high-fat and high-sugar food, it may harm your brain and impair its normal function. On the other hand, if you want to eat food with rich antioxidants, such as fruit and vegetables, it will stop free radicals from hurting your body and your brain. In fact, free radicals cause oxidative stress and inflammation that may damage your brain cells. According to Atlas Bio Med, oxidative stress also has been identified in anxiety and depression.
If your body does not obtain enough vitamins and minerals, it may affect your physical and mental health. Therefore, you have to eat a balanced diet with fruit and vegetables, making your best diet suitable for you. Make sure your diet does not lack nutrients because it may cause deficiencies. Nutrient deficiencies may affect your mental health. For instance, iron deficiency has been related to hyperactive or attention-deficit disorder in children. Lack of iron for your body may cause anemia which associates with depression.
Moreover, if you lack Zinc which protects your brain against free radical damage, you may feel depressed (NCBI). According to Atlas Biomed, a lack of specific B vitamins is related to depression, and consuming vitamin B supplements has improved mood in patients with depression. Therefore, to maintain your mental health during your diet program, you should consume healthy meals with essential nutrients for your brain and body.