When it comes to helping look after the mind, self care is key. While looking after the body cannot cure mental health issues, it rings true on many levels as is something we can focus on when trying to look after our mind health. Certain foods are particularly good for mind health. Research has shown that Omega 3 fats that are found in oily fish such as mackerel, sardines and salmon can improve mood, helping some with the symptoms of depression along with an increase in B Vitamins if you are lacking found in whole grains, green beans and nuts. Then there are certain foods to reduce or avoid. We would recommend anyone suffering from anxiety to try and reduce their caffeine intake as too much has been shown to increase symptoms. Another aim would be to stabilise your blood sugar level so there are no sudden peaks as blood sugar levels can cause massive changes in a persons mood making them irritable and feeling low. Eating at regular intervals and limiting sweet foods really makes a difference too. So while the old adage ” a healthy mind is a healthy body” does not provide the answers for those with mental health issues, there is some weight in the fact that there are things we can do to help ourselves. Self care, whether that be the foods we put in our body, exercising (both mind and body) and trying to get enough rest all contribute to our mind health.