The physical and mental health of a human being is fundamentally interconnected with each other. The decline in mental health impacts our physical well-being and vice versa. Therefore, we must take measures to ensure a healthy and balanced life.
You might’ve heard about the phenomenon of hustle culture in big cities, which is essentially defined as working relentlessly and continuously, day after day, in pursuit of your goals. One of the consequences of this mentality is that it is shown to hurt people’s health. Working overtime leaves them burnt out, physically and emotionally.
Seeing these circumstances, it would be safe to say that people need to pay close attention to their physical and mental health now, more than ever.
Suppose you live in a city like Atlanta, Georgia. In that case, it is especially important for you to keep yourself in a good state of health. Statistics show that the citizens of this metropolitan city are at an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. But what steps can people follow to manage their physical and emotional health?
Manage Your Chronic Illness
Chronic diseases demand management, and you must adapt to the new reality. You have to adjust to the changes that come in your life with the diagnosis. It can be extremely stressful for the patient and leads to depression and anxiety. Therefore, managing your chronic illness is essential to attain a healthier lifestyle.
There are several different ways to do that, but the direction of treatment most take is the use of functional medication, and you can do that too.
Now, if you are searching for a credible institute in Atlanta that uses a functional medicinal approach to treat chronic diseases, you can opt for Elite Personalized Medicine. They are known as the best Atlanta functional medicine institute and use a personalized approach to treating chronic diseases.
Unlike conventional medication, functional medicine aims to treat a chronic illness by identifying the root cause of that health problem. This way, it focuses on improving overall health and not just the management of the symptoms.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is known to improve people’s physical health. It can benefit you in many ways, such as strengthening your bones and muscles, managing weight, and preventing chronic diseases. It enables you to live your life more healthily and actively. But, the perks of exercise are not just limited to physical health.
Research shows that increased physical activity or exercise can release the hormones like “endorphins” and “serotonin.” These chemicals are not only mood enhancers, but they also help with depression and anxiety.
People who exercise regularly report feeling more energized and optimistic about their day after exercising. It helps them sleep better at night and can also relieve stress.
However, the key is finding the right exercise type for yourself- whether you want to start going for a morning jog, join a gym, or do yoga in the comfort of your home. It depends on you to choose the exercise routine you prefer and then commit to it. Doing so will help you achieve optimum physical and mental health.
Take Care of Your Diet
You might have come across this quote, “You are what you eat.” It implies that what we eat impacts our physical and mental health significantly.
According to WHO, a healthy diet helps prevent malnutrition (in all its forms) and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, and stroke.
In recent decades, life has become faster, and people usually have less time to spare.
Consequently, they cannot cook three meals a day at home like before, so they opt for already-cooked or ready-to-cook meals instead. The problem with these meals is that they contain high amounts of fat, sugar, and salt, which are known to cause different diseases. It has also been found that junk food can impact your mental health negatively. So, you may want to stay cautious about what to eat.
While meal prepping, you should include more vegetables and fruits into your diet. Along with that, try to have more complex carbs in your diet.
For example, when choosing flour-based products, you can add whole grains instead of refined flour. Reduce saturated and trans-fat to include more healthy fat in your meals. You can construct your meal plan according to your likes and dislikes to help yourself stay mentally and physically fit.
Focus On Your Sleep Schedule
You will notice that sleep is one of the first things doctors inquire about whenever you feel sick. That is because the recommended amount of sleep is crucial for staying healthy and active.
The effects of insufficient sleep are often overlooked, as people tend to think that the benefits of a limited amount of sleep outweigh the consequences. Poor sleep can cause numerous mental and physical disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and depression.
Needless to say that proper sleep can play a positive part in your physical and mental well-being. You will feel more energized and relaxed after a full night’s sleep. Sleep also increases your productivity level.
You can follow some tips to establish a proper sleeping schedule. Turn off all the electronics one hour prior to your bedtime; they emit blue light, which affects your melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone that helps you sleep. You can drink herbal tea or take a hot shower, as they help with sleep. It would be better if you also tried maintaining a proper sleep schedule. Doing so can help your body set into a routine that ultimately enables you to sleep early.
Conclusion
Investing time and effort in yourself is essential for achieving optimal physical and mental well-being.
Taking some time out of your schedule to practice self-care activities will put you in a happier frame of mind, thus enabling you to tackle difficult situations more effectively. How will you deal with hardships if you feel emotionally and physically exhausted?
So, it is better to care for your body and mind beforehand—that way, you can live a much healthier and happier life.