Body and mind are generally considered to be two separate entities when, in reality, they are interconnected to a level that is beyond our imagination. You might have noticed how bad you start to feel after a poor meal and how great you feel after a solid workout. You must have also seen how sudden changes in moods start evoking strong reactions in the body.
It is a truism that the health of the body affects the mind and vice versa. Many people are suffering simply because they fail to give due attention to both body and mind. The Internet is loaded with information on how to keep good physical health. But only a few of them address the importance of having a healthy mind too.
One major reason why most of us neglect mental health is that we are conscious only on a physical level. Our fast-paced life is also to be blamed partly, as it leaves us thinking about our work alone.
The second reason why we fail to take care of our mind is because of the widely prevalent social stigma of talking about our feelings. Men especially are taught to be stoic and cautioned against revealing their weaker side. This aggravates the whole problem leading to further depression and anxiety in the person.
Most things we do on a day to day basis has profound effects on our mental health. The effects we perceived to be affecting us physically might also be influencing us on an emotional level. Below are some of the most common habits that not only impacts us physically but also mentally.
The benefits of exercise have been overstated to a level that it has bored people. Everyone knows that working out builds huge muscles, but only some of us know that it is an excellent antidepressant too. Physical activity stimulates the release of serotonin, endorphins and norepinephrine, which are known as the happy chemicals of the body. Get your daily dose of physical exercise for feeling healthier and happier.
Having a healthy eating habit provides us with truck-loads of mental benefits. Several studies have shown how our diet is directly related with the way we feel. Foods like curd have probiotics in it, which has been observed to uplift the mood of the people. Incorporating fruits like oranges and bananas in your diet are also excellent for brain health. Avoid eating junk foods as it only produces unhealthy calories while also leaving you tired later-on.
Besides the drastic effects alcohol produces on the body, it also ravages the functioning of the brain. Instant effects after consumption of alcohol include difficulty walking, slurred speech, blurred vision and terribly slow reaction time. Longer effects of alcohol include brain damage and a higher chance of getting dementia. It is, therefore, important to know what controlled drinking is. Staying within limits is extremely important to avoid getting the dangerous effects of alcohol.
Just like drinking, smoking is another vice that needs no introduction. Cigarettes are usually a bit harder to get rid of than alcohol. It is important to keep in mind that addictions like these can only be cut down in phases. A device like an e-cigarette could be an alternative for helping you curb the dependency on tobacco and finally move into zero nicotine consumption.
Not getting enough sleep can take a toll on your mental health. Factors like anxiety and depression are direct causes of sleep disorders like Insomnia. A sound sleep boosts our immunity and makes us less vulnerable to diseases. It also sharpens our attention and improves decision-making skills as well. Incorporating enough physical exercise in your daily lives is one of the best ways to get good sleep during the night.
Mental health is of supreme importance because of the fact that our emotions can induce various chemical reactions in the body. Being aware of our thoughts and emotions help us to be happy and cheerful. Some of us have a hard time dealing with thoughts is that we are so much caught up with the constant chattering of our mind. A technique like meditation helps us to be a witness to our thoughts, which tremendously eases the burden in our minds. Meditation is a practice that benefits people of all age groups and is an excellent way to beat stress and anxiety.
Most of us have heard of the old saying that ‘a healthy mind resides in a healthy body’. It is interesting to know that the vice versa is also true for us human beings. A healthy mind is paramount to our well being, and hence, it becomes our obligation to give proper attention to it as well.
Elianna Hyde, has been a freelance writer since 2009. She has attended university of California and graduated with masters in mass communication. She loves watching TV shows, movies and has keen interest in sharing her views on business trends and people’s lifestyle.