THE FOODS THAT COULD HELP PERK UP YOUR MOOD

When it comes to mental health, there is no such thing as a super-food. But there is some evidence that certain treats, eaten as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, may perk up your mental wellbeing.

Brazil nuts: Rich in selenium, they are an important micronutrient for the brain, which some studies suggest can ease anxiety.

Salmon: Or any other fatty fish, such as mackerel, sardines, trout or herring, which are all high in Omega-3, a fatty acid which appears to bolster mood.

Vitamin D: Otherwise known as the sunshine pill (since we get most of what we need from the sun’s rays during the summer), vitamin D supplements have been found to reduce the risk of depression and seasonal affective disorder.

Dark chocolate: It’s a good source of natural plant chemicals called polyphenols, which some studies suggest can boost blood flow and lower cell death in the brain, aiding mental health. Milk chocolate, however, has much lower quantities of the mood-altering compounds.

Bananas: They’re a mainstay of the popular “dopamine diet” as they contain the hormone found in the brain that controls mood. Other dopamine sources include eggs, beef, chicken, dairy products and nuts, such as almonds and walnuts.

Heart attack

Symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate with sudden and intense chest pain. But just as often symptoms like tiredness start slowly and can persist for hours, days or weeks before a heart attack.

A heart attack is caused by the blockage of a coronary artery so blood can’t reach a section of heart muscle. If the blocked artery isn’t reopened quickly, the heart muscle begins to die.

The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage.

Cardiac arrest

A cardiac arrest is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It usually occurs suddenly without warning.

Because of its disturbed rhythm the heart can’t pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs, leading rapidly to unconsciousness and no pulse.

Death will occur within minutes if the person doesn’t receive treatment.

The year 2020 was the year we thankfully waved goodbye,

To many difficult changes in a blink of an eye, Our world as we knew it turned upside down,

As an unknown pandemic crept into our Welsh town. Changes took place, nothing stayed the same, When we learned that Covid-19 was given a name, Rules for safety and lockdowns were imposed,

As we relied on politicians and others to give us hope.

We as a Welsh nation turned to history gone by, When our forefathers in troubled times would reason why, How they stood together, what action to take, where to go. The answer came, our brave NHS ready to fight against this foe.

Each day we saw their dedication, as a nation we would stand,

In appreciation for each one readily clapping our hands, Many such others followed on in our time of need, From valley to valley we witnessed many good deeds.

Face masks became the fashion, food shopping became a chore,

Sad to see our Welsh rugby game played behind closed doors,

Times were sad, and hard as we rallied for changes to come,

For schools and stores and others to reopen one by one.

At last our rainbow of hope arrived as the vaccines came, Renewing our faith as we stood to hear our names, And one day we shall look back at this time to remember when,

United we stood together, and in our hearts say, “Never again!”