Epic stuff doesn’t happen when you feel average

Epic (marketing) stuff doesn’t happen when you feel average. To unlock our full potential and fire on all cylinders, we need to feel good. I gave a TEDx talk on trusting your gut and how to look after it. Because amongst other things, our guts are responsible for creating serotonin – that lovely feel-good hormone. So eating well helps us think and feel better.

Nutrition is an oft-overlooked tool in our business strategy. In an industry like marketing, where, all at the same time, we need to be creative, innovative, highly commercial and dot-connectors, using nutrition to boost our brain power can be a game-changer.

Think of a time you were at the top of your craft, clear-minded, nimbly keeping plates in the air and delivering well for your stakeholders. Were you feeling meh? Probably not. Were you on some strict diet or detox? Maybe, but perhaps not.

Chances are you were doing your bit to eat properly, stay hydrated and get your steps in – without any Herculean effort. Because to look after our brain, mood and energy in the long-term, drastic changes or a total reset often aren’t necessary. It’s about establishing realistic, repeatable daily habits that you can sustain. Keep these habits simple and you’ll be likelier to stick to them. Stay consistent and you’ll start to feel your mindset shifting. 

Here are 5 easy things to focus on: 

1. Stay hydrated. Drink two litres of water a day (on top of other drinks) to stay mentally sharp. Carry a water bottle with you, make sure it’s topped up and keep sipping throughout the day.  

2. Get moving. Move your body daily for enhanced mental health. It doesn’t have to be a hardcore gym session (although I do love them for blowing off steam) – a stroll to the train station, taking the stairs instead of the lift or walk & talk calls will all do the trick. 

3. Eat the rainbow. Get a variety of different colours of fruit and veg each day, but aim to prioritise veg over fruit. All those wonderful antioxidants and polyphenols are protective for both body and brain. The more colours and variety, the better.

4. Keep it simple. Go for simple, straightforward foods that are as unprocessed as possible. Opt for things that look like they did when they started out in life over those processed beyond all recognition. From these, you’ll get sustained energy that helps with mood regulation. 

5. Optimise your chances. You have (at least) 3 opportunities a day via breakfast, lunch and dinner to impact your mood and brain power. Choose wisely and prioritise protein, colour (thanks veggies), some whole grain carbs and a little good fat like olive oil.

If you’re ready to take the first steps on a mood-boosting, brain-power-enhancing nutrition journey, start making changes little by little. Don’t strive for perfection – it's completely overrated. Make choices that help your body and brain feel good, and pay attention to what does and doesn’t work for you. Trial and error. If something makes you feel great, stick to it. If it doesn’t, don’t sweat it – try something else and keep readjusting. 

Remember, epic stuff doesn’t happen when you feel average, but you don’t need to make epic changes to feel glorious. 

Be glorious.

Stay well.

Written By Rebecca Hirst, Chief Marketing Officer for EY UK. She has a post-grad in personalised nutrition and built a successful side-hustle as #TheHealthCoachToHighFlyers

Published on 24 April 2024