Throughout my fitness journey of the last 10+ years, I have become aware that mental health is as essential as physical health. Emotional and mental health is important because it’s a vital part of our life and impacts our thoughts, behaviors and emotions.
How do we improve our mental health? By exercising, eating healthy meals, opening up to other people in your life, taking a break when you need to, remembering what you are grateful for, and getting a good night’s sleep. These daily lifestyle choices help in boosting your emotional health and can promote productivity and effectiveness in all activities like workouts, work, school or caregiving. Without improving your emotional health, it will be harder to improve your physical health. I always say in order to change your body you must change your mind, and for your mind to change you must change the body. I learned this the hard way.
Vulnerability Moment 💓
After my divorce 7 years ago I was in the best shape of my life but on the brink of suicide. I had focused so much on changing the physical about me but neglected my mental health. I was lonely, heart-broken and depressed after having to walk away from someone I “loved” but who was fighting his own demons and wasn’t ready for me. The toxicity of that situation ended up being a gift–because it brought out my true self and helped me learn the impact of mental health problems.
This leveled me up 100%. It wasn’t easy, but thanks to three years of seeing a mental health counselor and developing the healthy habits mentioned above, I was able to turn my life around. I trained myself to be my best at my very worst and I made my 30 day Mind & Body Transformation Guide to help others build these healthy habits that saved my life.
There are many factors that contribute to mental health problems, including:
The good news is that mental health problems are common and people with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely. Your mental health is essential to living a healthy and happy life.
You also need to stay on the lookout for the early warning signs of these problems. These include eating or sleeping too much or too little; pulling away from people; having low or no energy; feeling like nothing matters; having unexplained aches and pains; feeling hopeless; abusing alcohol; feeling unusually angry, worried, scared, or forgetful; thinking of harming yourself; or experiencing an inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school. Other activities like compulsive sex, recreational drug use, obsessive internet use, excessive spending, or disordered exercise patterns can also disrupt someone’s mental health and potentially lead them down a path toward crisis.
Positive mental health allows us to realize our full potential, cope with the stresses of life, work and workout productively, and make meaningful contributions to our community. It’s so important that we add daily mental health exercises to our health plan. Start with saying out loud and writing down five things you are grateful for daily. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood, so make it a priority!
Today’s food & workout recap:
Total food calories for today: 1,644 = 22% Carbohydrates, 48% Fat, 30% Protein.
Change more than just your body