Munching on a snack during the day can boost your brain power and increase your productivity. The brain requires a lot of energy and if you feed it right, you can even succeed professionally. It’s time to get smarter with your food! How exactly? Find out all about it on today’s psychology of snacking.
Chewing makes you more productive Several studies have shown that chewing can actually increase your productivity! It helps you to be more focused it may even improve your memory. When you chew your stress and anxiety levels are reduced, yet you are alert. That explains why we love to munch and nibble on snacks while we work.
Why food matters for the brain The brain is able to do an amazing amount of work but it also requires a lot of energy to keep going. Our brains are made of billions of neurons. The presence of neurotransmitters is how neurons in the brain communicate with each other. Neurotransmitters are like messengers of the brain and they are made from amino acids which we get from our diet. So yes, what you eat matters! And not just because of your waistline but because of your brain as well.
For example, the neurotransmitter dopamine is involved in keeping us motivated. Without it we would be a bunch of sad, tired zombies unable to concentrate on anything. Doesn’t sound like a great work place, does it? That’s why eating regular balanced meals, fruits high in Vitamin C or nuts like almonds and walnuts is crucial in keeping your energy and motivation levels on point!
Another great example is the neurotransmitter GABA. Its deficiency can lead to feelings of anxiety and irritability. People are more likely to become self-critical and they find it hard to relax. I don’t know about you but this doesn’t sound like a dream work place either. Luckily, Eating more whole wheat grains, fruits such as bananas and seeds and nuts will help in calming things down.
Why you should keep your brain hydrated We all know we get cranky when we’re hungry but the power of food on our brain is stil incredibly underestimated. Snacking during the day will keep your brain going like clock. but there is something else that should never miss from your desk at work: water. When you don’t drink enough fluids you become irritable, you lose concentration easily and become worse at carrying out mental tasks. So in addition to your healthy snacks, always, always, always remember to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
We need to eat to keep our brains going and while quick fix sugary snacks full of carbohydrates will do the trick for a short-period of time, they are not helping out your mental abilities in the long run. That’s why choosing healthy snacks to munch on during the day plays an important part in increasing your productivity. This way healthy snacking will lead you to professional success.
This article was done in collaboration with Desk Nibbles to end office hanger. Visit their website today to get your office a free snack trial!
Sources:
https://file.scirp.org/pdf/NM20120300003_99040712.pdf
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/Feeding-Minds.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/