While there are many similarities and crossovers between the promotion of mental health for adults and for children, there are still a few noticeable differences. The largest factor being that children are still growing, and there are countless ways that daily life can impact a child’s mental well-being. It’s vitally important that a child’s mental health isn’t declining or being impacted negatively. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe children’s mental health as:
Being mentally healthy during childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities.
Recently, a new study was published that suggests that children whose diet includes, at least, the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables have a substantially higher “well-being score”. The well-being scores were calculated, “by participants indicating how often on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 ‘none of the time’ to 5 ‘all of the time’ that they feel like each of 14 statements addressing feeling and functioning aspects of mental well-being”.
Nutrition is a key component of physical and mental health, but now, knowing how impactful something as simple as eating a bowl of berries in the morning can be for children, it’s hard to justify skipping out on breakfast or eating a bowl of sugary cereal instead!
One of the best ways to promote your, not only your mental health, but immune system and overall health is by doing something most people enjoy – eating! By making sure you’re receiving all of the nutrients you need, you can keep your body and mind in tip-top shape. Eat a balanced diet, and do your best to avoid heavily processed foods. It is never too early – or too late! – to work towards living a longer, healthier life.
