PACIV Live Well Work Well Webinar – Mental Health

All the information on how to deal with Depression, Anxiety, Emotional Eating, and other mental health topics was given during this webinar. There are 8 Dimensions of Wellness: Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Social, Intellectual, Physical, Occupational and Spiritual. Nutrition is found in each dimension, so if all are well, mental health will be balanced.

Registered Dietitian, Sabrina Goshen, also mentioned the importance of Gut Health since 90% of serotonin is produced in the GI. And Low Serotonin & Norepinephrine & Dopamine circulating in the brain linked is to a high risk of Depression. Anxiety is linked to fear and from there it manifests itself. Some triggers of anxiety are caffeine, stimulants, high and low sugar. To prevent it, we should improve sleep, have adequate serotonin regulation, exercise at 60% to 90% of maximal heart rate for 20 minutes, 3 times a week, or try yoga. Another topic was, emotional eating to cope, which is completely normal, and the best advice was to “Give yourself grace”; you can eat whatever you want.

Goshen concluded with “Nutrition is ONE aspect, Mental health is multifactorial, seek help; use your WHOLE medical team”. Mental Health is linked to good nutrition, a healthy lifestyle is fundamental for Mental Wellness.