What we eat can affect our creative energies. Processed foods high in trans fats, excessive sodium and sugar, as well as artificial ingredients, can drain us of creativity. Those foods can leave us feeling foggy, uninspired and downright bored, not to mention lethargic, sick and disease-prone.
In the short amount of time we have here on earth, "I'm bored" seems to be one of the harshest ways to spend a precious, fleeting moment. While mustering the energy to redecorate the house, finally take wakeboarding lessons or write that novel might be too daunting for a short holiday weekend, that doesn't mean our creative urges have to go unexplored.
In fact, we don't need to undertake major projects to live truly creative lives. It's actually fairly simple to infuse some originality and flare into otherwise mundane tasks. It's all about getting in-and staying in-the creative mood. From washing the dishes to making lunch-every moment is an opportunity for a twist of… awesome. Whether that's singing and dancing while we clean the house or something much more permanent like creating a piece of art, thinking outside of the box is a fulfilling and healthy part of the human experience.
Give some of these healthy creativity-boosting foods a try and see if they don't inspire you to make every moment a living art project infused with inspiration, clarity and masterful ingenuity.
Complex carbohydrates provide the brain a steady stream of glucose throughout the day. Unlike simple carbohydrates (we're talking to you, refined sugar and flours), complex carbs take longer to break down and can be better regulated by the body and the brain. Try the following foods:
1. Whole grain bread
2. Oats
3. Quinoa
4. Brown rice
5. Millet
6. Amaranth
7. Spelt
8. Barley
Essential fatty acids play a crucial role in proper brain function. They help our brains process and understand information, necessary for creative thinking and problem solving. Try getting a well-rounded variety of foods in your diet rich in all of the omegas:
9. Hemp seeds
10. Chia seeds
11. Flax seeds
12. Walnuts
13. Avocados
14. Olive oil
15. Coconut oil
Antioxidants keep our cells healthy by protecting them from free radical damage. This is especially true in the brain as well as the rest of our body. Antioxidants also boost our immunity, which can keep us from getting sick. That's a huge bonus, especially if we're looking to avoid listless time spent on the couch. Try these foods rich in a variety of potent antioxidants including vitamin C, E and beta carotene:
16. Berries – any kind will do!
17. Citrus fruits
18. Dark leafy green vegetables (kale, chard, mustard greens)
19. Broccoli
20. Beets
21. Yams
22. Squash
23. Chocolate (yes, really. The dark stuff, or better yet, the raw stuff.)
24. Wheatgrass
25. Spirulina
26. Maca
27. Ginseng
28. Bee pollen
29. Green tea
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