Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a busy week of work, writing, and running. I’ve broken down and joined a gym so that I can keep up with my running during the long winter months. It’s cold today, so I’m sitting in my recliner writing this post in front of a nice warm fire.
But enough about that, today I’d like to talk about the mind and body connection. I’m no doctor, but I feel there is a strong connection between how we take care of our bodies and how healthy we are in our minds.
I know this because when I’ve had to stop running because of an injury, my mental health droops because I’m not exercising. I also believe eating right also has a positive effect on our brains and mental health. These are two things we can control.
We must learn to listen to our bodies. They’ll tell us when we need to take a break and go for a walk. I try to get outside a couple of times a day to get some fresh air and exercise. I also run and do yoga. Both have a dramatic effect on me. If you’ve ever heard of the runner’s high. It’s true. My attitude is so much better for the whole day when I go for a run in the morning, and this usually extends into the next day.
When I do yoga, I’m so relaxed while at the same time, I’m more aware. There is scientific proof that Yoga is beneficial to not only our minds but our bodies as well. When we do Yoga, it increases the levels of GABA in our brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps relax your mind, which reduces the physical effects of anxiety on the body. For more information on this click this link: https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/understanding-the-mind-body-connection/#:~:text=Physical%20health%20and%20emotional%20health,our%20stress%20and%20physical%20health.
I know you’ve probably heard this before, but I believe our diet also affects the way we feel and think. We need to stay away from sugar as much as possible. We can do this by eliminating processed foods out of our diets. All processed foods seem to have added sugar in them, and I’m sure you’ve heard the fact that sugar is just as addictive as cocaine and other drugs. I don’t think we’ll be able to totally eliminate it, but we can certainly lower our intake of it. For more information about this click this link: https://bernalinstitute.com/2020/07/28/is-sugar-the-new-cocaine-does-sugar-have-the-same-effect-on-the-brain-as-cocaine/
So, there you have it. What we eat and how we take care of our bodies has a direct effect on our mental state. What do you do to maintain your mental health? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!
Yo, Lisa! Yes, I exercise and meditate for my mental health. Of course, doing what you love to do, a.k.a. writing is a plus too. But I don’t have to tell you that! Cheers, girlfriend! Great post!
Thanks for stopping by, Sharon and sharing your thoughts! I appreciate it! I hope the writing is going well!
Oh darn, you found me out. I have the biggest sweet tooth. Tough to control. But I know I must for my physical and mental health! Thanks for the reminder.
You’re welcome. I also have an incredible sweet tooth, and it is really hard to manage especially on stressful days. LOL! I think the key is moderation instead of trying to cut sweets out of your diet completely. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. LOL! Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca. I always enjoy reading your take on things, and I appreciate your support so very much. ❤
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Only if you are healthy you can enjoy everything else. So health needs to take precedence.
Absolutely! If you don’t have your health, you can’t enjoy your wealth, right? 🙂
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