The mind-body connection: How everything we do affects our mental health

The Lizard: mind your head by Chris Downer is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

It can be hard to think about our mental and emotional health in the same way we do our physical health, but it’s important to realize that everything you do affects your mental state. This can be as simple as eating unhealthy food or not getting enough sleep, but it also encompasses more serious matters like experiencing trauma or abuse, struggling with addiction, and dealing with depression and anxiety. The mind-body connection is such that if you put good things into your body and mind, you will feel better overall; conversely, if you take care of your mental and emotional health, you will see physical health benefits as well.

  • * Sleep
    A lack of sleep can also make us more susceptible to illness and injury. Sleep deprivation has been linked to weight gain, heart disease, diabetes and memory loss. It also reduces immunity which may cause colds or the flu.
    There are many things that could be keeping you up at night such as work stress, stress or financial worries. If this is happening often it’s important to see a doctor because it could lead to depression or anxiety. In addition, exercise is a great way to combat sleep deprivation! You should try going for a walk around your neighborhood in the evening hours before bedtime. When you wake up in the morning, get started with breakfast and then go outside to get some sunlight. When you’re tired during the day drink lots of water instead of coffee or soda (they contain caffeine). Lastly, stop looking at screens 30 minutes before bed time.
  • * Exercise
    Exercising daily is a must for good physical and mental health. It releases endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good. Exercising can also help with anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. Studies have shown people who exercised were less likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression. Even if you can’t get out to exercise every day, try to fit it in at least three times per week for best results. Find what works for you – whether its walking, running or cycling – and find the time to do it. Spending just 30 minutes a day on an activity that makes your body and mind feel better will lead to benefits far beyond what you may imagine.
  • * Being Present
    To stay mentally and emotionally healthy, you need to take care of yourself. Sometimes this means taking time for yourself and doing things that make you happy. Whether it’s going for a walk or spending time with friends, the goal is to be present in the moment. One way to do this is through mindfulness—paying attention to what’s happening in your body and your thoughts without judging them. Mindfulness can also help us recognize when we’re feeling stress or anxiety so that we can get support before things get worse.
    We all experience emotions from time to time, but if these feelings last more than two weeks and start interfering with your daily life, then it may be helpful to seek professional help from a therapist who has training on dealing with depression and anxiety disorders. Depression and anxiety are both illnesses that can impact every area of our lives if left untreated. It’s important to find someone to talk to about how you’re feeling, even if that person is a friend or family member. Many people find that talking about their feelings helps them feel less alone and better understood by others who might not understand what they’re going through.
  • * Managing Stress
    Stress can lead to many other health problems and is something that should be considered when starting a new business. Identifying stressors, understanding the effects of stress on the body and taking steps to reduce stress are all ways to keep your mental and physical health in check. It’s important to understand the warning signs of high stress levels, as it may affect you mentally or physically in many different ways.
    It’s also important to understand what exactly causes you stress and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. People experience different types of stresses every day and they need to know what they are so they know how best to combat them before they happen again. One of the most common forms of stress is workplace anxiety. In order to alleviate this type of stress, one must find a way to identify their triggers for this anxiety and learn coping skills for managing it accordingly. There are plenty of tips online about combating workplace anxiety, such as listening to music while working or doing yoga during breaks.
  • As we push through everyday life, we fail to acknowledge the impact on our mental health. Making time for sleep, exercise, be present, and manage stress are priority. Being mentally healthy will improve physical health. Have you implemented the time for your mental health, lately?

Until our beautiful minds meet again be safe out there. Many blessings and much love. Remember Everyday Minds Matter-Della 💞🦋