The Optimism Diet

This week, my friend April sent me an email titled "The Optimism Diet" and asked, "What does that look like?" Her question struck me as profound.

We often talk about diets for our physical health, but what if we adopted a diet for our mental and emotional wellbeing—a regimen that nourishes the mind and spirit just as nutritious food sustains the body?

I reflected on this idea while watching Ainsley's Good Mood Food featuring honey, a perfect metaphor for the sweetness and positivity we can infuse into our lives. As Ainsley shared delicious recipes in his happy places—his kitchen and on the beach—it became clear that food, atmosphere, and the joy of cooking all boost happiness, joy, and optimism. The experience of creating, sharing, and savouring food in environments that bring you peace and happiness can lift your spirits and brighten your outlook.

Let's Start with a Food and Drink Diet for Optimism

Let's begin with something tangible: food and drink. The first rule of an optimistic meal is to surround yourself with optimistic companions in an environment that makes you joyful. Sharing meals with positive, uplifting people in a vibrant setting can transform a simple meal into a source of deep emotional nourishment. Whether it's an intimate dinner with friends or a bustling café breakfast, the atmosphere and company you keep boost your mood and enhance your food experience.

Kathy Ashton told me about "The Happy Connection: Food, Optimism, and the Power of Potatoes ," highlighting how eating a wholesome meal can spark happiness and optimism. Kathy explained how certain foods, like potatoes, can improve your mood by stabilising blood sugar levels and encouraging the production of serotonin, the brain's feel-good hormone. This connection between food and happiness underscores the importance of being mindful of what we eat because the right foods in the right environment can nourish both the body and spirit.

Now, let's talk about the foods themselves. Optimism often starts with what we consume, and specific foods are known to boost happiness, joy, and optimism by increasing serotonin, dopamine, and other "happy hormones." Foods such as dark chocolate, bananas, berries, nuts, and fresh apricots can help elevate mood and promote feelings of wellbeing. Fish like salmon, trout, and sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain health and mood regulation. These foods contain nutrients that stimulate the production of "happy chemicals" in the brain, like serotonin and dopamine, which help maintain an optimistic outlook.

Spices can also work wonders. Cinnamon and nutmeg are known to have comforting, mood-boosting effects, while turmeric, rich in curcumin, is renowned for its antidepressant-like qualities. Saffron, the "sunshine spice," has been shown to lift mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Other mood-boosting spices like ginger, cardamom, pepper, and cloves can add layers of flavour to your meals while enhancing mental clarity and wellbeing.

The Optimism Diet isn't about "health food". It's what makes us healthy, like "food made with love". I enjoy food that brings me joy and enhances my optimistic outlook—whether it's a crispy schnitzel, snails in garlic butter, the bold flavours of steak tartare, or the sweetness of sugar bananas and fresh apricots. And let's not forget dark chocolate, cinnamon doughnuts, and a slice of Stollen at Christmas. To accompany these moments of indulgence, small quantities of Krupnikas, Armagnac, or a glass of Tempranillo or Chianti can add warmth and a sense of celebration to the experience.

Combining these favourites with mood-enhancing foods and spices delights the taste buds and lifts the spirit, bringing joy and optimism to both mind and body.

Ingredients of The Optimism Diet

Optimistic Greetings

One of the simplest yet most powerful elements of an optimism diet is how we greet others. Start every interaction with a genuine smile and a friendly "hello." This small gesture has a ripple effect, lifting your spirits and the people around you.

Asking, "What has been the best thing in your day?" is a wonderful way to steer conversations toward the positive and create an atmosphere of optimism. It transforms even brief exchanges into moments of connection and joy.

Gratitude and Saying Thanks More Often

Gratitude is to the optimism diet what fruits and vegetables are to a balanced food diet. Regularly practising gratitude can shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, boosting resilience and feelings of wellbeing. A simple gratitude practice - whether it's writing in a journal or just mentally acknowledging things we are thankful for - can strengthen our optimism. At the same time, making it a habit to say "thank you" more often can reinforce a positive mindset. A sincere thank you, whether for a small gesture or a significant act, lifts the mood of both the giver and the recipient, fostering an atmosphere of positivity and appreciation.

Much like the sweetness of a perfect fresh apricot or the richness of a good steak tartare, gratitude and frequent expressions of thanks add depth and satisfaction to our daily lives. Recognising the small joys, the acts of kindness, or the beautiful moments in each day can build a foundation of positivity that makes even the most demanding challenges feel manageable.

Surrounding Yourself with Optimists

An essential part of the optimism diet is the company we keep. Optimism, like good food, is contagious. Spending time with people who exude positivity and hope can profoundly influence our mindset. When surrounded by those who see opportunities in challenges, it becomes easier to adopt that same outlook.

Make time for conversations with people who inspire and uplift you. Surrounding yourself with optimists can replenish your reservoir of positivity. Whether at the dinner table or over coffee, the energy we get from the people around us makes a big difference in how we approach the world.

Acts of Kindness and Positive Action

The optimism diet isn't just about what we take in; it's also about what we give. Sharing optimism through acts of kindness and positivity can feed our own sense of hope and joy. Whether it's helping a neighbour, complimenting a colleague, or simply sharing a smile with a stranger, these acts of kindness create ripples of positivity in the world.

Like preparing a delicious meal for others, these small acts nourish the recipient and the giver. Studies have shown that acts of kindness can increase feelings of wellbeing, reduce stress, and strengthen social connections—all key ingredients in an optimistic life.

Meditation, Yoga, and Prayer

Meditation , yoga, and prayer form the foundation of mental and spiritual nourishment in the optimism diet. These practices help quiet the mind, reduce stress, and foster a sense of peace and clarity. Through meditation, we become more mindful of the present moment, focusing on the beauty and positivity around us. Yoga encourages balance between the body and mind, helping to boost our mood through physical movement. Prayer, on the other hand, can offer comfort and connection, nurturing the spirit with a sense of purpose and gratitude.

Whether we sit quietly in meditation, stretch into a yoga pose, or offer a prayer of thanks, these practices provide moments of reflection, allowing us to recharge and approach life with renewed energy and optimism.

Recipes for Daily Optimism

• Take Time to Experience Joy: Pause throughout the day to experience joy—smell the roses, enjoy the sunlight, or appreciate a simple moment. These moments help ground us and remind us of life's beauty.
• Positive Conversations: Replace the standard "How are you?" with "What's been the best thing in your day?" This small change can shift conversations toward optimism.
• Say Thanks More Often: Make it a habit to express gratitude verbally. A sincere "thank you" to someone—whether for a small gesture or a significant action—helps reinforce a positive, appreciative mindset.
• Evening Reflection: Before bed, reflect on the day's successes and moments of joy, no matter how small. This practice helps end the day on a positive note.

Conclusion: A Diet Worth Sticking To

Like the meals I love, the Optimism Diet brings joy and contentment. You create an environment where optimism thrives by infusing your life with positive thoughts, gratitude, uplifting company, and acts of kindness.

In a world where negativity can sometimes feel overwhelming, an optimism diet offers a path to resilience, hope, and joy. And just like any good diet, consistency is vital. By making optimism a daily practice, we can experience the lasting benefits of a positive outlook and share that infectious optimism with those around us.

What are the foods that make you feel more optimistic?

What are the foods that bring you joy?

Read More: Meditation and Optimism

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