We’ve all heard the saying ‘You are what you eat.’ But how does this relate to focus and mood? The foods you eat could have a significant impact on your brain and your ability to focus. Research shows the right foods can increase brain power, focus, motivation, and overall productivity by up to 20% percent.
The truth is that getting focused can be easy, but staying focused, even under the best possible circumstances, can be difficult. To help tackle your day and prevent you from falling far from focused, here are my five favourites:
Probiotics
When you support your digestive health you optimize your overall health. The “gut-brain” connection is real, and too often overlooked. By consuming a good quality probiotic, you will not only aid in nutrient absorption, support optimal digestion, and boost your immune system, you will also support brain health by easing brain fog, improving anxious tendencies, supporting memory, and allowing for greater focus—for adults and kids. Remember, quality is important; not all probiotics are alike.
Greens+
We should be eating more greens, and most of us struggle to reach the bare minimum daily intake. Enter Greens+, 23 plant-based nutrients in powdered form to nourish and energize your mind and body. It provides a little extra insurance, working up your nutrition game and the nutritional value of your meals. Additionally, research shows that greens powders can help neutralize acids, decreasing your overall acidic load and contributing to improved health. Just one scoop per day brings lasting energy and focus with no crash! Add it to your smoothies, or just shake with water.
Omegas
Omegas have an incredible impact on brain function and development throughout all stages of life. In our diets, EPA and DHA are almost exclusively found in fatty fish and fish oil. While we may consume fish, most of us fall short of getting enough EPA and DHA in our diets, leaving us irritable, foggy, and unfocused. Incorporate a good quality fish oil supplement to reap the benefits of improved cognitive function, mood, and focus. Taking 1,000 to 2,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil daily is a good starting point.
Water
This may not be a food, but it’s still enormously useful. The body is 73 percent water, so it makes sense that when our supply is low, we don’t function properly. Even a mild case of dehydration impairs cognition. What happens to your brain when you don’t drink enough water? You become irritable, lethargic, and distracted. To increase your focus and slay your goals, drink at least three litres of water each day—this will give your brain the power it needs to be more focused and motivated.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate increases the production of endorphins and serotonin in the brain, and triggers the release of dopamine. And aside from giving you bliss, dark chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties that boost blood supply to the brain, enhancing concentration and focus. It also contains magnesium, which is a natural stress reliever. A small amount goes a long way, so just have a little square to get the mood and focus boost you need.
Slaying your goals has never been more straightforward, and the science backs it up: if you consume garbage, you’ll project garbage. There is no other way of putting this! The healthy mind can commit, prioritize, eliminate distractions, and conquer—and it all starts with nutrition. Load up on these favourite five—they may just be the lift your brain is looking for when struggling to stay focused and motivated.
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