I do a fair amount of driving, especially on highways, and I’ve got to say—people seem more stressed, impatient and downright angry than ever.

I’ve witnessed cut-offs, flip-offs, tailgating, weaving through traffic, passing on the right and all sorts of other aggressive behavior.

I once even saw an SUV pass someone on the shoulder of I-95! Thank goodness no one was pulled over with car trouble.

And it isn’t just on the highway. You see impatience in stores, restaurants, parking lots and everyday interactions too.

What in the world is going on?

There obviously isn’t one simple explanation. Stress, lack of sleep, financial pressures, health problems, relationships, work and countless other factors can affect how we feel and how we react to the world around us.

But there’s another piece of the puzzle that deserves more attention:

What’s going on inside your body can affect how you feel, too.

We sometimes talk about mental and physical health as though they exist in two completely separate boxes.

They don’t!

Your brain needs nutrients, oxygen, water and energy just like every other organ in your body. And more and more research is looking at the connections between nutrition, nutrient levels, digestive health and how we feel mentally and emotionally.

Now, that doesn’t mean eating a salad is magically going to make all your stress disappear!

But consistently giving your body what it needs is an important part of supporting both physical and mental wellness.

Unfortunately, many people are trying to function at their best while eating heavily processed diets, not drinking enough water, barely moving and living with tremendous amounts of stress.

Is it really surprising that we don’t always feel our best?

Medications can be absolutely necessary in certain situations. But medications can also have side effects—and some of those side effects may involve mood or behavior.

In fact, depending on the medication, prescribing information may warn about effects such as agitation, irritability, aggression, unusual changes in mood or behavior, restlessness or other mental changes.

These aren’t side effects to brush aside.

Whenever you start a new medication—or even if you’ve been taking one for a while—know what the potential side effects are. Read the information that comes with your prescription and pay attention to changes in how you feel and behave.

If you suddenly feel unusually agitated, irritable, aggressive, anxious, depressed or simply “not like yourself,” speak up and talk with your healthcare professional right away.

The bottom line here is simple: Know what you’re taking and know what to watch for.

Being informed about what you put into your body is always important.

And just as importantly, supporting your health through nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits can help give your body the foundation it needs to function at its best.

So let’s talk about some of those foundations.

Your brain is an incredibly active organ, and it needs plenty of nutrients to do its job.

Research continues to find associations between diet quality, certain nutrient deficiencies and mental health. Nutrients including B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, iron and omega-3 fatty acids are among those that have been studied for their roles in brain function and mental well-being.

After all, your body certainly can’t use nutrients that you aren’t giving it!

The answer here is simple: keep it real.

Build your diet around nourishing foods such as meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds and healthy fats like olive oil.

The more nutrient-dense whole foods you eat, the more opportunities you give your body to get the vitamins, minerals, protein, essential fats and other nutrients it needs.

Our Super Core provides a well-rounded blend of essential vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants and other health-supporting nutrients, to complement a healthy diet.

There’s another fascinating connection between nutrition and mood: your gut.

Your digestive tract and brain are in constant communication through what’s commonly called the gut-brain axis.

And don’t forget about all those little organisms living in your gut! Your intestinal microbiome plays a part in this gut-brain connection too.

This is one more reason I’m always talking about digestive health!

A varied diet rich in whole foods and fiber helps support a healthy intestinal environment. Fermented foods can be helpful additions too.

You can also support a healthy intestinal environment with a quality probiotic. Super Shield provides 15 billion CFU of beneficial probiotic bacteria to help support healthy intestinal flora and digestive health.

Taking care of your gut isn’t just about avoiding gas and bloating. Digestive health is part of whole-body health!

Water is essential to virtually every system in your body, including your brain.

And since your brain depends on proper hydration too, drinking enough water is another simple way to help support how you feel and function.

Aim for at least eight glasses of filtered water each day, and more depending on your personal needs, activity level and climate.

If plain water bores you, add some fresh lemon, lime, cucumber or berries for flavor.

Pretty simple!

Have you ever gone too long without eating and suddenly felt cranky, shaky, exhausted or unable to concentrate?

There’s a reason “hangry” became a word! Most of us have been there—and it’s not pretty.

Your brain needs a steady source of energy too. Meals built primarily around refined carbohydrates and sugar can leave you riding an energy roller coaster.

Instead, aim for a diet that includes quality proteins, healthy fats, fiber-rich whole foods and vegetables.

For example meals:

Eggs with vegetables and avocado.

Greek yogurt with nuts and seeds.

Chicken with roasted vegetables.

Salmon with a big salad.

Nothing fancy! Just real food that provides your body with sustained nourishment instead of a quick burst followed by a crash.

The health benefits of exercise are virtually endless, and that includes benefits for your mood and mental well-being.

Regular physical activity has been associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression, better sleep and improved overall health.

And keep in mind—you don’t have to become a marathon runner!

Walk.

Garden.

Swim.

Ride a bike.

Dance around your kitchen.

Do some strength training.

Find something you enjoy enough that you’ll actually keep doing it.

Even a brisk walk is a great place to start.

Nutrition matters tremendously, but we also have to acknowledge the obvious:

Life can be stressful!

Our brains weren’t designed to spend every waking moment being bombarded by breaking news, emails, text messages, social media, work demands and a never-ending stream of notifications.

Sometimes supporting your mental well-being means turning some of it OFF.

Go outside.

Read a book.

Pray or meditate.

Spend time with people you love.

Play with your dog.

Work in the garden.

Take a walk without your phone in your hand.

Get adequate sleep.

Whatever helps you unplug and recharge, do more of it.

Your body needs periods of rest just as much as it needs nutritious food and exercise.

There is no single food, nutrient, supplement or lifestyle habit that controls everyone’s mood.

But nutrition and lifestyle are pieces of the overall picture that are too important to ignore.

Your brain is part of your body, after all!

Feed it well.

Hydrate it.

Move your body.

Take care of your gut.

Get enough rest.

Pay attention to how medications affect you and discuss concerning changes with your healthcare professional.

And when life feels like one giant highway full of people cutting each other off, maybe take a moment to make sure you’re giving your own body and mind the support they need.

We can’t control how everyone else behaves.

But we can certainly do our part to take good care of ourselves!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia