There is much talk about the mind-body connection. But what does it really mean? The mind and body are more connected than we realize. This means that our thoughts, emotions, beliefs and attitudes can either have a positive or a negative affect on our physical well being. And our physical well being can impact our mental state. The result is a complex interrelationship between the two.
Medical care has historically concentrated on treating the disease and not treating the person as a whole. Research has shown that our psychological health can have a huge impact on our heart health, risk for stroke and other conditions previously attributed to strictly external factors. It’s no surprise that one of our leading psychological factors attributing to physical health is stress. People who suffer from chronic stress has a 40% higher chance of developing or dying from heart disease. But it’s never too late to adapt a healthier lifestyle to control stress and to take steps to improve your mental health which can lead to a healthier body. So let’s explore ways to extend your lifespan and improve your mental health.
As stated by the American Heart Association, “ What’s stressful for one person may not be stressful to another.” Stress is an inevitable part of life and everyone responds to stress in different ways. How you react to it can lead to a variety of health problems. This is why it is so important you understand ways and means available to you to address it.
Exercise: Exercise realeases naturally produced stress chemicals in the brain called endorphins that are the body’s natural painkillers as well as elevating one’s mood. Experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes of exercise every week, broken up into 5 half-hour sessions. This can include walking, running, lifting weights, aerobics, yoga, biking, almost any variation of exercise that you might enjoy.
Practicing Relaxation: Balance out your emotions through ways such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, prayer, scheduling quiet time on a regular basis.
Good Sleep Habits: There are measures which can help to promote better sleep habits such as regular exercise, no caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime, meditation, no electronics 30-60 minutes before sleep and in general, the room should be quiet, cool and dark.
Maintaining a Positive Attitude: Schedule time aside for yourself and find something you enjoy doing. Find a hobby or interest. Spend quality time with family and friends. This will all lead to maintaing a positive attitude.
If your mind and body seem “out of synch” ask yourself “ what are my stressors?”. “ what are my strengths?” “what are my weaknesses?” “ what have I done in the past to manage my stress?” “what can I do to manage my stress?”. These measures just may help you to manage the stressors that affect your emotions and body and in turn lead to a happier and healthy you!