Nutrition & Hydration:
Fueling Your Body and Mind
Our food choices play a powerful role in our cognitive health: our ability to think, learn, focus, and be our most productive, creative selves. When we don’t make good food choices, it can affect every aspect of our lives. By building and sustaining healthy eating habits, we are protecting our bodies and minds, fueling our long-term well-being, and making it easier to connect with others over food.
Learn:
Explore the science of well-being and the connection between our physical and mental resilience
Poor eating isn’t like some other bad habits where the effects take years to manifest.
Our brains are made up of 75 percent water, and even mild dehydration can rob us of our full brain power.
Small changes to our eating habits can yield significant improvements to our mental health.
Our eating and drinking choices can provide nearly instantaneous changes — for better and for worse — in our mood, energy, and performance. One Brigham Young University study of nearly 20,000 American workers reported that an unhealthy diet is associated with as much as a 66 percent increased risk of productivity loss.
Studies have shown that dehydration can adversely affect concentration, mood, and reasoning, and can also cause headaches and anxiety. On the flip side, staying hydrated can lead to an increase in productivity by as much as 14 percent. The National Academies of Sciences recommends that adult females drink 91 ounces per day (~5 average-size water bottles) and adult males drink 125 ounces (~7 average-size water bottles).
Poor eating habits have been linked to common mental disorders including depression and anxiety. Nutrition has also been found to be an effective part of a treatment plan for mental disorders once they start.
Additional Resources
Reflect:
Uncover limiting mindsets and replace them with growth-driven mindsets and positive beliefs that support the creation of new habits and sustainable behavior change
The food choices we make aren’t random. They’re connected to our beliefs. And on the surface, these beliefs might not even be about food. For example, if we believe recharging throughout the work day is a waste of time and productivity, then that belief impacts our eating habits. We’re not going to value stepping away from our desk to have a healthy lunch and actually connect with our co-workers. Or if we don’t believe we have time to eat well, we won’t find time to nourish ourselves throughout our day.
When we understand how our beliefs and our environment affect our eating choices, we empower ourselves to make better choices that can fuel our bodies, our minds, and our overall well-being. A mindset shift allows you to view the situation through a different lens — and trade your limiting belief for a positive one.
Take Action With Microsteps:
Small, manageable actions you can adapt to your life in ways that work for you
Thrive Tip: Set up Your Environment for Success
By putting a little more thought into your environment, you’ll set yourself up for success, even if you’re feeling rushed. For example, if your goal is to start the day with a wholesome breakfast, stock your fridge or pantry with fresh fruits and yogurt instead of sugary cereal or processed breakfast bars. If you want to drink more water, get yourself a reusable water bottle and keep it by your desk or carry it with you.