Your mental health takes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being into consideration which all have a significant impact on how you think, feel, and act. Your mental health ultimately determines your capability to handle stress, how you’ll interact with others, and the choices you make that could impact your life. It’s an important aspect that plays a major role at every stage of your life, from childhood into adolescence, and even your life as an adult which is why its importance needs to be highlighted.
For those aspiring to live a happier and more fulfilling lifestyle, it’s essential to take care of your mental health by incorporating positive routines capable of improving your health and your mood such as fitness and nutrition.
People who exercise regularly experience lower rates of mental illnesses and have better health mentally and physically. Fitness has been known to be the perfect solution for one’s mental health and well-being because it promotes neural growth and new activity patterns in the brain that promote feelings of calmness while releasing endorphins and powerful chemicals within the brain that promote feelings of positivity which helps to provide a brighter outlook on life and breaks one away from negative thought cycles.
In addition to the mental health benefits, regularly exercising strengthens your cardiovascular system, increasing the blood flow in your brain and decreasing the likelihood of a stroke in the future. Fitness can also improve your memory and thinking ability which combats the decline in your brain function as you grow older and protects you from developing Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, and reduces the discomfort felt by those suffering from arthritis.
Exercising increases the body’s ability to carry oxygen which inevitably improves the circulation within your body and provides you with more energy throughout the day, allowing you to conduct more strenuous tasks than the ordinary person. The improved circulation from maintaining an active lifestyle also contributes to the health of your skin, blood sugar control, and even strengthens your immune system which will be crucial to your health as you continue to grow older.
Regularly working out can even improve the duration and quality of your sleep. By using more energy throughout the day you’ll feel inclined to rest and recover during the night, and having a full night’s rest improves the brain’s creativity, ability to solve problems, decreases the likelihood of depression or other mental health disorders, and can even improve your life expectancy.
Your nutrition and what you ultimately decide to eat will also play a crucial role in the state of your mental health. Those that choose to incorporate whole foods and healthier diets into their lifestyle experience fewer mood fluctuations, and the vitamins and nutrients provided through healthy foods can even play a role in preventing or reducing mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and even dementia.
Comfort foods and junk foods that are heavily processed and high in sugar on the other hand can be counterproductive to the state of our health and wellbeing because they increase the likelihood of developing a chronic disease or obesity while simultaneously making them more prone to depression and anxiety which is why your consumption and what you choose to eat holds so much importance to both your body and your mind.
If you’re determined and want to make self-improvements it’s important to make the necessary changes to ensure that you become the person you want to be.
The opportunity for a better and brighter future is achievable, but only if you’re ready and willing to become the change you need to experience it.
Farren Morgan is a head coach and tactical trainer.
