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"If you have the ability to love others, love yourself first."
— Charles Bukowski
It's important to remember: our physical health affects our mental health and vice versa. What we do to our bodies makes a big difference to how we feel.
Physical activity, diet, alcohol, smoking, and drugs can all affect our mental health and well-being in different ways.
So, let's talk about them.
Physical activity releases feel-good hormones called endorphins which help us sleep and feel better. It also improves our physical fitness which tends to make people feel better in general. Even small amounts of regular physical activity can improve your mental well-being especially if it's doing something you enjoy. Physical activity is even a recommended treatment for some types of depression.
You can get active at your own pace in your own way. There's no need to join a gym or even spend any money. Simple, small changes in our day-to-day life can make all the difference. Taking a brisk walk at lunchtime or walking to get where we're going. Getting active in the garden or cycling once or twice a week are great options.
If there is a type of activity you used to enjoy, think about how you could pick it up again. For example, there are lots of groups or sports teams in local areas open to all levels of ability. What's more? According to Dewar (2019), the time in green spaces is beneficial, so head to your local park if you can!
Eating better can have a big role in our health and well-being. It won't come as a surprise to learn that what and how much we eat plays a big part in our physical health which can have an impact on our mental health too. Ideally, we should aim for a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. It's important to keep an eye on calories and minimize foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt.
Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and even drugs may seem tempting when we're stressed or tired. And when we use them to try and cope, the idea of stopping them can feel like it would make things even harder. But according to Stanley (2017), they can cause more problems than they solve, especially long term. All these habits can complicate our sleep patterns and affect how anxious and depressed we feel. So try cutting down (or even quitting). And remember that there is support available.
Whatever you choose to do, what's good for your body is good for your mind.
References:
About Kids Health. (2020). Physical Activity: Benefits of Exercise for Health and Wellbeing.
Dewar, G. (2019). How Green Spaces Benefit Mental Health.
Stanley, C. (2017). How Smoking and Drinking Affect the Body.
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