MiddleEastern DINING ROOM

Designing a Middle Eastern-style dining room can be an exciting process. It is the perfect opportunity to inject some opulence into the interior design of the home. To create a sense of lavishness, there are several techniques that can be employed. To begin with, it is important to select the right color palette for the dining room. The possibilities of colors, textures, and furniture styles are endless. However, designing a lavish Middle Eastern dining room can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the culture and design principles.

When it comes to colors, Middle Eastern style is known for its bold and vibrant colors. Rich colors such as sapphire blue, ruby red, and deep purple are popular choices for a luxurious dining room. Metallic accents in gold or silver can add a hint of glamour to the room. You can also use different shades of the same color, such as light and dark blues or greens, to create a more subtle but still luxurious look. When it comes to furniture, Middle Eastern style often incorporates traditional designs made from rich and lavish materials. Intricate patterns and carvings on the furniture give the room an ornate and elegant feel. Leather and velvet are popular choices for upholstery, while wood is often used for frames and legs. Gold and silver accents on furniture and accessories can further add to the extravagant look. Consider adding an intricately patterned Oriental rug to the floor to add an extra element of opulence. The furniture should be of the highest quality and should be chosen to coordinate with the color scheme.

For a more traditional look, opt for dark wood furniture with intricate carvings. If you prefer a modern look, opt for metal and glass furniture in shades of chrome and silver. Finally, don't forget about the lighting. Chandeliers are a great way to add a lavish touch to the room. Go for a traditional design with intricate beading and crystal drops. Alternatively, you could take a modern chandelier with sleek metal or glass shades. By following these tips, you can create a lavish dining room that will be the envy of all your guests.

How Food Affects Your Mental Health: You Are What You Eat

We all know the importance of food for physical health. But did you know that what you eat can also have a significant impact on your mental health? Yes, that's right! The food you and all of us consume not only fuels our bodies but also affects our brains and ultimately, our moods, thoughts, and emotions.

Dr. Jacka says mental health is complicated, but eating healthy can lift your mood. So, you better add more plants and healthy foods to your diet. Meanwhile, let’s explore how food affects your mental health.

How Your Diet Can Improve Your Mental Health

Eating a balanced diet with lots of nutrients can help you think clearer, increase your energy levels, and improve your mood. Now those all add up to better mental well-being.

Mediterranean Diet for Depression

In fact, one study showed that eating Mediterranean diet nuts, legumes, olive oil, and processed meats was linked to a 10% reduction in depressive symptoms.

To follow a Mediterranean diet, increase your intake of Vegetables, Fruits, Fish, legumes, Nuts, Dairy products, Olive oil

However, this diet limits Processed meats, Fried foods, Sweetened beverages, Baked goods

But don't worry, you don't have to give up your cultural or personal food preferences to follow the Mediterranean diet. It's all about incorporating foods that are meaningful to you and easily available where you live.

Limiting Sugary Food, Caffeine, and Alcohol

Just a heads up that some of the things you drink and eat can make anxiety symptoms worse, like caffeine, alcohol, and sugary foods. Plus, studies have found that eating too not enough fruit and much-saturated fat can also lead to more anxiety.

So, if you ' re feeling particularly stressed or anxious, it might be worth adjusting your diet a bit. Try cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, and added sugars. You can instead go for foods like Red sorrel, turmeric, and cinnamon that have anti-inflammatory properties. These foods will help reduce stress throughout your body.

Your body as well as the mind will thank you!

The Importance of a Nutrient-Rich Diet for Mental Health

Recent research has shown that our gut and brain are connected, and what we put in our bodies can affect our moods and emotions. So, it’d best if you pay close attention to your diet and how it affects the way you feel. No worries, we’ve got a few tips for a nutrient-rich diet that can help improve your mental health:

Keep a food journal to track what you eat and when Pay attention to your eating habits and patterns

When feeling stressed, jot down your feelings instead of reaching for food

If you tend to overeat when you ' re stressed, try incorporating these three foods into your diet

Carbohydrates

Go for brown rice, quinoa, beets, sweet potatoes, and millet. They’re higher in nutritional content and will render you fuller for longer than simple carbs found in sweet meals.

Lean proteins

Chicken, eggs, fish, meat, soybeans, seeds, and nuts are all great sources of protein. They not only provide your body energy, but they also facilitate rapid thinking and quick responses.

Fatty acids

They’re necessary for the healthy operation of your nervous system and brain. These can be found in fish, flaxseeds, eggs, meat, and dairy products.

The Link Between Food and Positive Emotions

Have you ever heard of nutritional psychiatry? It's a pretty new field that looks at how the food you eat affects your mental health. It's fascinating to think that the foods you choose to eat have just as much impact on our brains as they do on the rest of our bodies.

One reason for this connection is that our gut also known as the gastrointestinal system is closely connected to our brain. Our gut has trillions of living microbes that send messages to our brain to regulate pain, sleep, appetite, emotion, and mood. It's so connected that the gut has been nicknamed the "second brain"!

According to research, the foods we eat could potentially impact the wellbeing of these gut microorganisms, which in turn may have an effect on our state of mind and emotions.

It's encouraging to consider that dietary and lifestyle modifications can help the healing of mental illnesses. Although there is still much to discover, it’s obvious that there's a direct correlation between eating and feeling good.

How Junk Food Affects Your Mental Health

Studies have shown that for adults under 30, eating a great deal of junk food might make mental trauma seem worse. That's because you can feel fatigued, have difficulties sleeping, or even feel hungry for a few hours up to several days after consuming heavy, fatty foods like fries and burgers. Such a surprise, huh?

But why does this happen? Well, sugar is a form of carbohydrate that may well temporarily revitalize, make people smile, and lift their spirits. Yet, because refined sugar in junk food is readily absorbed by the body, it causes a sharp fall in the level of blood sugar. This could result in fatigue and desires.

Moreover, junk food can impair memory and learning by causing swelling in the area of the brain that controls memory. That's not all, either. Regular junk food consumption would raise your chance of developing conditions including stroke and hypertension.

Junk foods can even cause the production of the happy hormone “dopamine”, in the brain, allowing you to feel good. Yet, this can lead to a vicious cycle of seeking ever more junk food in order to relive the same euphoric feeling. Therefore, before you grab that packet of chips or a candy bar, think again!