As well as sleep, eating well and exercising also help us remain in good shape physically and mentally.

Although people react differently to the things we eat and drink, there are some foods and drinks that tend to affect how we feel. The charity Mind provides information on this here: Food and mental health – Mind.

You might find it helpful to:

• Make a diary of what you eat and drink and your mood, anxiety and unusual experiences. You may notice patterns such as seeing or hearing things that aren’t there more intensely after you’ve drunk alcohol, or feeling more anxious when you’ve drunk caffeine, or feeling your mood is lower after eating lots of sugar. Here’s an example of what this might look like (diabetes.org.uk)
• It’s fine to eat some treats now and then, but as far as possible we should try to eat a balanced diet: Eating a balanced diet – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
• Planning ahead can help e.g. cooking a batch and freezing some, or making a meal plan of easy recipes to make when you don’t have much time or you don’t feel great.

Resources

• You might find it useful to look at these Turning Point resources on healthy eating: Find Out More: Healthy Eating – Overview | Rise 360 (articulate.com)
• Top tips from the British Heart Foundation on eating well without spending lots: Eating healthy on a tight budget: 6 top tips – BHF
• Tips for health eating from the NHS: 8 tips for healthy eating – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Eat well guide: The Eatwell Guide – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• EatWell Guide from the UK government: The Eatwell Guide – GOV.UK (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Gro Health is a free health platform or app that supports families with their nutrition, sleep, mental wellbeing and health tracking.  The app offers access to NHS-certified support, including: 
  • nutritionist-approved recipes;
  • the ability to create your own personalised nutrition programme;
  • on demand workouts and activities;
  • education and support for sleep as well as much more. https://www.keepingwellnwl.nhs.uk/download_file/494/0