How Food Affects your Mood

It is well accepted that what we eat can affect how we feel. Often when people are experiencing difficulties in life they neglect their own nourishment which in turn can increase their emotional vulnerability.

Establishing a regular diet of nutritious foods and understanding how our food affects our mood can be of huge support when under stress.

Certain foods types are now being recognised as causing instability to our brain function and emotional wellbeing while others offer us a chance to maintain a healthy, consistent mood, give us more energy and provide us with better nourishment for our bodies.

In this talk we will discuss what our physical needs are in relation to a balanced mood, while also focusing on the healthy food choices we can make to enhance our brain function and emotional stability. (People with special dietary needs or restrictions should consult their GP or Dietician)

Duration: The talk runs for 1.5 hours.

Target audience: This talk is suitable for the general public.

Aims and objectives

To provide guidelines for a healthy diet for your mental health in conjunction with Safefood nutritional guidelines.
To demonstrate the causes and effects of our changes in food consumption over the last 50 years.
To understand the mental-health statistics in Ireland at present.
To explain how our brain functions and the necessary nutrients for this functioning.
To understand self-care in relation to mental well-being.
To illustrate how to challenge unhelpful eating patterns.
To aid participants to evaluate their own behaviour and substitute unhelpful practices with more helpful ones.
To build and share knowledge of healthy eating habits.
To encourage greater well-being and mental health.

Talk outline

History & change of food production
Biology & chemistry of the brain
Necessary foods to maintain a healthy brain & a good mood
Where we go wrong with sugar & comfort food
How toxins & stimulants affect our brain & mood
Hydration & mood
New research – The brain & gut connection
Allergies & intolerances
The social side – Food sourcing, preparation, eating habits & gift giving

Events

Therapy

I am a counsellor & psychotherapist, group facilitator & trainer in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. I hold a masters in Clinical Psychotherapy & am forever honoured to witness the power of the human spirit as it seeks to find healing & growth.

Allow me to collaborate with you to understand your needs, to navigate through your difficulties and assist you in developing the inner strengths to thrive in your own environment. I offer you my openness, my interest in you and my presence. I like to keep it real and genuine but always warm, respectful, kind and non-judgemental.

Let me see your world as you see it and let us see what the outcome will be.

Let’s connect

“Vivianne’s gentle and sensitive manner put me at ease from the outset. She was able to provide me with meaningful support and guidance and this enabled me to view my experiences from a different and often more positive perspective. I always felt reassured by the professional way in which Vivianne carried out her work.”
– Breeda, age 34

“From my first appointment with Vivianne, I found her very warm and welcoming. Her space is inviting and safe and I instantly felt at ease in her company. As a counsellor she is very professional and caring. She encouraged and supported me when I was going through a difficult time and helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel and for that I will be forever grateful.” -Rachel, age 32

“I found Vivianne to be a warm, friendly and insightful facilitator who created a safe and respectful space in which to explore issues around self-esteem. I really enjoyed the course and took some very important learning from it. I am happy to recommend Vivianne’s courses to my friends.”
– Anne, age 54

“It’s been a good experience. You are very dedicated…You have been a help & I thank you for that.”
– John, age 64

“Vivianne was fantastic, unassuming, unpretentious and kind, she had something important and helpful to say to everyone. She made the course for me.”

“Vivianne was brilliant, so patient and kind. Many thanks to her.”

“Vivianne was very professional and caring.”

“Vivianne was an excellent communicator. She delivered the content really well while allowing time for conversations to take place”.

“Vivianne was so empathetic. She ensured everyone contributed and each contribution was valued. This made the programme more personal to the group.”

“Vivianne was such an empathetic instructor, giving everyone the chance to speak and be heard, you can tell she really cares.”