The Good Mood Diet tells us that eating well helps us feel well, improves our moods, and increases our energy and ability to deal with stress. This all makes sense and I have absolutely noticed that my brain is less fuzzy when I skip the refined sugar and have plenty of fish, complex carbs, fruits, and vegetables. But I hadn’t noticed the coping with stress thing.
Recently, I proved these mood-elevating and stress-relieving benefits to myself. Only, I proved them by proving the opposite: that if I skip meals and snacks, don’t combine carbohydrates, proteins and fats as well as I should, and if I enjoy too many sugary treats, my mood deteriorates and my ability to cope with stress evaporates.
Here’s what happened: I’d been happily following the GMD guidelines and feeling well. But I had a very busy week in which I ate poorly. Then came a nearly fatal blow: I called technical support.
You know how it goes. I was having problems with a brand new computer. I called technical support, waited on hold for a half an hour, spilled my water glass trying to accomplish something by organizing my desk while I waited, and when I finally got connected, I could barely hear the “customer service representative” because the connection was so bad. We struggled for an hour, trying one unsuccessful tip after another, until the rep finally decided the problem was not with his software – it was the computer manufacturer’s problem. I made two more calls, strikingly similar to that one. Finally, I called the store where I bought the computer. When Friendly Fred told me “I know a technician who can come to your home at a cost of $110/hour,” I lost it. I screamed. I cried. I sobbed.
Okay, the phone calls weren’t fun and the lack of success was frustrating. But my reaction was waaaay out of proportion. I mean, nobody ran over my dog – and there are far worse problems in the world.
After I calmed down, I laughed at myself and went for a walk. I thought about why I became so frustrated. So, it’s back to eating right and exercising regularly. But I think I’ll give myself a little more time before calling technical support again.
Liz Diether-Martin
Editor, The Good Mood Diet Web site