World Hello Day!
World Hello Day is a global event that takes place on the 21 November every year to promote peace and communication between people and is celebrated in 180 countries!
This day is a perfect reminder that a simple greeting can have a positive influence on our mental health. When it comes to our gut health it also reminds us of the link between gut health and overall wellbeing, including the powerful connection between mood and food. For instance, stress, anxiety and low mood can affect our gut function. Did you know about 95% of serotonin – the ‘feel good’ hormone that affects mood – is produced in the gut? Stress and poor diet can impact the balance between our gut and our brain, potentially leading to digestive issues such as constipation, bloating and diarrhoea, and lower mood.2,3
Fortunately, certain foods can support our mood. Fruit and vegetables like berries, broccoli, peppers, and oranges are rich in vitamin C, which may help reduce anxiety.4 B vitamins,5 which supports a healthy stress response can be found in bananas, peas, mushrooms, avocado and leafy green vegetables. By including these in your diet, you can support both your gut and mental health!6
See some of our gut-friendly recipes here
6 ways to take part!
- Create fun and colourful “Hello” cards to brighten up someone’s day! Whether you hand them out to friends or neighbours , it’s a simple way to spread positivity and start meaningful conversations. Get creative with your designs and watch how a small gesture can bring smiles all around!
- Greet at least 10 new or old acquaintances today! Whether it’s greeting the ‘postie’ on their morning delivery or asking the barista how they are when picking up your coffee. Don’t be afraid to get talking.
- When you get to work – strike up a conversation with a colleague you don’t often speak to, perhaps the newest member of staff or someone in another team – you never know, you may have more in common than you think!
- Reach out to an old friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Even if you’ve recently had a disagreement, communication is, after all, the key to understanding our differences and the first step to making things better.
- Learn how to say ‘hello’ in a different language! Not only does this broaden your cultural awareness, but it also promotes inclusivity and respect for diverse communities. Greeting someone in their native language can help build connections, break down barriers, and promote a sense of global unity—one ‘hello’ at a time.
- Finally, share the moment! Post videos or stories on your social media where you greet friends, family, or strangers in creative ways. Use hashtags like #WorldHelloDay and encourage others to join in.
The benefits of World Hello Day
World Hello Day highlights the importance of face-to-face interactions. The idea is that greeting new people or rekindling relationships with old pals can lead to interesting conversations and maybe even making some new friends too!
While the health benefits are still being explored, simple actions like smiling, waving, or just saying “hello!” can create a short-term boost in mood and promote a sense of ‘social mindfulness,’ helping to enhance awareness of others and encourage positive social interactions.
These small interactions can uplift mood by triggering the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to positive emotions and reduced stress!7
By promoting social connection and reducing stress, these small actions contribute to overall well-being and support a healthier gut environment.
So, why not get talking today, just start with “hello” and see where your day goes!
References
- A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial) – PubMed
- Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options – PubMed
- The gut microbiota in anxiety and depression – A systematic review – PubMed
- The role of vitamin C in stress-related disorders – ScienceDirect
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and ‘At-Risk’ Individuals – PubMed
- Nutritional psychiatry: Towards improving mental health by what you eat – ScienceDirect
- Stress and the dopaminergic reward system – PMC