We all know that a healthy lifestyle can profoundly impact our overall well being, but did you know that this includes memory and concentration as well?

If you’re a writer, I’m sure you’ve experienced the dreaded “writer’s block!” While this is normal, if it happens too often, it could end up hindering your performance in the long run.

Making poor food choices prevents the body functioning at peak levels, ultimately affecting our ability to remember things, and concentrate as well as we should.

When I experience problems with concentration I can normally trace it back to poor eating habits over the last week or so. It’s so frustrating, and it’s definitely not a productive way to write!

Anyone else ever feel like this?

So, what are the benefits of making good lifestyle choices?

1. You remain focused

Our body needs healthy foods to function efficiently. You wouldn’t expect your car to run without petrol, would you? Yet sometimes we wonder why we feel the way you do, when in actual fact we haven’t been eating the nutritious foods that our body desperately needs.

If your work demands a high level of concentration, eating regular, healthy meals is a must. For meal ideas check out, “25 Easy Breakfast Ideas for the Bleary Eyed,” and “25 Minimalistic Meals: 5 Ingredients or Less.”

2. Your body receives essential nutrients

By eating regular, healthy meals you receive the necessary nutrients required to support the days activities. It also keeps blood sugars at a steady level, which in turn helps us to concentrate more fully.

A healthy diet should also be high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are not only beneficial for heart health, but also for the brain. Specifically DHA, which is one of the primary building blocks of the brain, and therefore adequate intake helps the brain to function better.

Foods that are good sources of omega-3 include salmon, trout, mackerel, nuts, and olive, canola, or flaxseed oil.

3. You’ll be bursting with energy!

If you find yourself getting mentally sluggish between lunch and dinner you may need to eat more, or assess the quality of what you’re already eating.

Try having a light snack mid-morning, and mid-afternoon to keep energy levels perky! Good snacks include unsalted nuts, raw veg with peanut butter, or yoghurt topped with berries.

For more tips check out, Healthy Snack Ideas.

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4. You’ll be less stressed

Following a health lifestyle is an extremely good stress management tool. Again this has to do with keeping blood sugars balanced, and providing the body with the essential nutrients it needs for a job well done.

Unfortunately, when we fail to eat well, stress can also take a greater toll on us overall. For more information check out, 15 Effective Stress Banishing Tips.

5. You get better sleep

While not everyone needs the full 8 hour quota each night, those who do get good quality sleep are more likely be successful in committing new information to their memory.

This is called “memory consolidation,” and studies have shown that people who slept after learning a task did better on tests later on.

If you lack the ability to concentrate throughout the day you may be sleep deprived. Try creating a regular schedule by going to bed, and getting up at the same time, and aim to get optimum sleep every night, around 8 hours is recommended.

Check out, 4 Ways to Get Better Kip.

7. You take regular exercise

Many writers admit that fresh ideas really begin to flow when they are take time out to exercise.

Exercising forces us to step away from the constant infiltration of external information, whether it’s through email, RSS feeds, TV, or other people, and therefore we are more open to exploring our own thoughts and ideas.

Physical fitness also plays a role in the brain’s function, increasing the amount of mood-enhancing seratonins, and it’s are great way to work off excess stress!

Final question

Where do you eat your meals? Is it in front of the computer or TV? If it is, think about taking 10 minutes at meal times just to enjoy your food, clear your head, and think about something other than work for a little while. Your brain will thank you for it!

What changes have you made in your lifestyle? And how have you noticed a benefit?

If you’re stuck for ideas on what to write about, check out Write to Done’s, 15 Tips on How to Generate Ideas and Write with Ease.

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