It is not easy to fight depression or anxiety especially in our world filled with chaos and fear due to the coronavirus. It is never easy to combat mental illness while feeling all alone and useless with all that is currently happening. But know it is possible. Know you can still do something about it.

Experts say food plays a huge role in one's emotions, as stated by Harvard. So why not use it for your benefit? Use it to help you get back on your happy feet once again. Here are some of the foods to eat.

FOODS RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS

Exposure to free radicals can pose many negative effects in the body such as inflammatory disease, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and even eye problems. Furthermore, experts say it can affect your brain as well. So if you want to have a more stable mental and psychological health, consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants can help.

Some of the foods you should consume this pandemic are broccoli, apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, peaches, collards, spinach, pumpkin, and sweet potato. You also would want to add vitamin C rich foods such as peppers, oranges, strawberries, tomato, blueberries, and grapefruit.

FOODS RICH IN CARBOHYDRATES

Serotonin is a chemical produced in the brain, which can help improve one's mood even during times like these. One of the ways that could help the brain increase its production is by eating carbohydrate-rich foods. But remember to be mindful of eating these kinds of foods as some can also be very high in sugar, which can do more harm than good.

Choose only healthy carbs you can find in fruits, legumes, and vegetables. Some of those foods are banana, potatoes, beetroots, oranges, oats, buckwheat, and quinoa, as enumerated by Health Line. 

FOODS RICH IN PROTEIN

Another way to help the brain produce more serotonin is by eating more protein-rich foods. This is made possible because of its tryptophan-content. By adding a bit of healthy protein in your diet every day, experts say you will surely have a clearer mind and more improved mood and energy.

Protein-rich foods you might want to dig in include meat such as chicken, turkey, and tuna. You might also want peas, beans, low-fat, lean beef, fish, milk, poultry, cheese, yogurt, and soy products.

FOODS RICH IN VITAMIN B12 AND FOLATE

A Spanish study revealed how smokers tend to suffer from depression as compared to those who do not. This is because of how smoking can cause a deficiency of minerals in one's body. So aside from ditching cigarettes, it is better to embrace a more nutritious diet too.

Mediterranean diet is the best one to try according to experts, as this diet is rich in vitamin B12 and folate. This could also help alleviate mood and brush off depression.