Did you realize your mind has a direct impact on your body? Emotions tend to manifest themselves in our physical body. For instance, do you “burn” with anger or are you “tremble” with fear? If you’ve ever been depressed or felt like there just wasn’t a reason to get out of bed, you probably also experienced increased aches and pains.
When we work on having a healthy mind, the body follows suit. It’s an incredibly powerful tool we have as human beings. Let’s examine a few ways having a happy, healthy mindset can improve our physical health.
Wellness Takes Priority
Those with a healthy mindset are more inclined to take care of their physical wellbeing. We only get one body our lifetime. Happy people place their health and wellness as a top priority. Self-care is crucial.
As is a proper diet, regular exercise and routine health examinations. A healthy mind helps us eliminate excuses because we know how good it feels to feel good, mentally and physically.
Better at Fighting Diseases
Not only do those with a healthy mindset have a better immune system than cranky old codgers, they also can fight off big and little diseases with greater ease.
A positive attitude goes a long way, and happy people are the perfect example. From the common cold all the way to severe diseases, the quality of life for those with a healthier mindset is vastly increased. And their recovery time is substantially less!
A Longer, Healthier Life
Someone who takes care of their mental health is more than likely also taking care of their physical health. This leads to a longer, happier, healthier lifetime. If you believe you can die of a broken heart, the opposite must also be true. A happy disposition and a positive attitude can sustain and increase the amount of years we get to be alive!
Strategies to Develop a Healthy Mind
Be in Love with You
When you love yourself, low self-esteem and confidence issues are pushed to the side. You might dance to the beat of your own drum, and that’s okay! You don’t have to always fit in with social standards to love yourself. You have to recognize the beauty in who you are before anyone else will.
Do Something You Love
We tend to use “life” as an excuse for not having time to enjoy it. Make the time to do something you love. It’s a great stress reliever and initiates the feel-good chemicals in your brain.
Never Stop Learning
Try to learn something new every day. A sharp mind is a happy mind. Think of your brain as a muscle; you’ve got to exercise it to keep it in shape. Read a book. Learn a new skill. Play trivia. Make learning fun!
Breathe
Incorporating mindfulness exercises into your daily routine is a great way to ward off stress and increase your resilience when life sneaks up knocks you down.
Breathing techniques not only assist in oxygenating your brain, but also help you feel more connected to your physical body. It’s almost as if you can physically feel stress and tension being released and no longer able to hold you captive.
You Are What You Eat
If you want to be healthy, both in mind and body, you’ve got to eat healthy too. If you survive on junk food and drive-thru value menu options, you are only robbing yourself. Try to steer clear of heavily processed foods and aim for a balanced diet. Your mind and body will both thank you!
Be Active
Ever notice that the people leaving the gym are nearly always in a good mood?
Being active has way more than just physical value. It enhances self-esteem and makes us feel accomplished. We get stronger and more confident. Activity is a key component to a healthy mind. A healthy mind lays the groundwork for a healthy body. Many of the things we do to achieve and maintain a healthy mindset also promote physical health, which is a great thing actually. It’s almost like a buy-one-get-one sale at your favourite department store! Change takes time and persistence, but don’t give up. You are worth the effort!
Sleep
Good sleep is one of the major keys to unlocking great overall health and wellness. Your body relies on sleep to carry out essential functions, particularly in your brain.
It isn't just your body that's in recovery. It's like your brain storing information in the cloud. If you sleep less than seven hours each night there's a good chance you would score poorly on a mental function test. While you sleep your brain is busy at work consolidating and storing memories.
Having healthy sleep patterns will regulate your physical, emotional, and mental states. You’ll feel more energized and ready to tackle the day that lies ahead.
In conclusion
In reality, nothing is certain in life. Still, we can make plans and carry out activities that can give us a higher chance of living fuller and more meaningful lives. Healthy habits are some of those things in life that increase our chances of making the most of our experiences in the world. No one wants to be sick. However, a wish is not enough. You need to take deliberate steps that will boost your chances of keeping the doctor away.
You have been exposed to many tips and hacks that can help you boost your physical and mental health over the past weeks. Take advantage of them to improve the quality of your life. You will feel great about yourself as you see the transformations go under way. However, nothing good comes easy, and you need to be resolute and disciplined to continue on this path of healthy living. Remember that life is too short to be lived in pain and agony. So, invest in your health because that is all you have got.
My challenge to you: be an extraordinary person. Good luck!
This post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393.