Good Mental Health is Wealth

Often when we think about being healthier, our minds go to how we can eat better, or exercise more, but why is the quality of our mental health sometimes an afterthought? 

The more I have tuned into my body over the years, the more I have realized just how connected and affected it is to my mind. Have you ever noticed when you are nervous or anxious, you also may have an upset stomach? When you are tired, you may be irritable and short-tempered? Or when you are stressed, you may have a lack of appetite.  

Health is HEALTH, and it includes all parts of your being, physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual. When one aspect is not nurtured, another will inevitably be out of alignment as well.  

To achieve true multi-dimensional health, we must pay attention to and nourish all three of these aspects. 

Here are some tips that have worked well for me, take what you need and what resonates with you.

Physical 

Prioritize movement. This may seem pretty intuitive, and to some extent it is. With each year older that I become, the bigger a fan I am of low-impact workouts. These types of workouts keep your cortisol (stress hormone) levels in check, are easier on the joints, and allow you to exercise more frequently. Some examples would be slow and steady weight-lifting, yoga, or long walks outside. 

Aside from exercise, sometimes movement can also look like releasing stuck emotions that come up for you on a sad or stressful day. Consider getting up from your desk, standing with your feet about hips-width distance apart, releasing your hands down to your sides, and then twisting your body back and forth, letting your arms swing loosely from side-to-side as you do so! This is a good way to get out of your head and into your body. There are lots of other “shaking” exercises online if this interests you, look into it.  

Mental/Emotional

Don’t bottle things up. Many times being vulnerable is one of the hardest things for us to do as humans, but once we open up and let down our guard a bit, it feels like a weight has been lifted off of our shoulders. Find someone who you trust, that you can have conversations with, someone who will help you make sense of things, and listen. A confidant. This could be a friend, a family member or a therapist.  

I think people find themselves overwhelmed often because problems usually feel much bigger when they are trapped in our heads! By opening up and letting worries or concerns out into the open, there is suddenly a clearer avenue for resolution. Remember, many times others are seeking someone to talk to too, and have been too scared to be vulnerable. Take that first step and open up. 

Spiritual 

Find your purpose. When you hear the term “spiritual health” does your mind automatically go to religion? That is not necessarily what spiritual health means by my standards.  

To me, spiritual health means connecting to something that makes you feel fulfilled, gives you purpose and creates feelings of gratitude. This could look like finding a meditation practice where you connect back to yourself, it could also look like volunteering, or quitting that job that is draining your soul’s energy! 

The biggest aspect of spiritual health is living in your own personal truth, living life to the fullest whatever that looks like to YOU as an individual. No one can answer what this might look like, but you.  

Remember, if you don’t have your health, what do you have? Take the time to nourish these areas and I promise you; you will not only be healthier but happier and more at peace. You are worth it! Invest time into you.  

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