A Healthy Body = A Happy Mind

A Healthy Body = A Happy Mind

A few years ago, when I was suffering from a deep depression, I was about 40 pounds overweight and in the worst shape of my life. I was in college at the time, and I was surrounded by fast food restaurants. I actually had a Taco Bell in my dorms! Needless to say, I was extremely unhealthy at the time, and I paid the price. It wasn’t until I started eating healthier and exercising that it became clear to me my previous diet was causing a large portion of my emotional pain and suffering. I went raw vegan for 4 months and started going to the gym 3 times per week, and my levels of energy and happiness went through the roof! I was literally jumping for joy on a regular basis because of how great I felt. Ever since, I have maintained a high level of health and fitness, and it has made a world of difference for me. 

 

 

The human body is designed to live off nature. It is also designed to move. When it does very little of those two things, it fails to function properly and you pay the price. If the majority of the foods you eat are processed (anything in a can or a box) and you’re eating very few fresh fruits and vegetables,then your body and brain are not getting what they need to function at a high level. Processed foods also contain many toxic chemicals that throw your body out of balance even further. The average American diet is likely responsible for much of people’s depression and emotional issues. It certainly is not helping.

Negative emotions are often your body’s way of telling you that it is out of balance and needs more nutrients.

The body is intelligent and will always tell you what it needs through it’s feedback mechanisms. Prescription and over the counter medicines block this feedback mechanism in their attempt to treat the symptoms, but the underlying problem is still there. It is an effective way to alleviate the pain, but it does nothing to treat the actual problem. Eating natural foods is not only an effective way to treat illness and disease, but it also an extremely effective remedy for depression, anger, and other negative emotions. I am no doctor, and I am not attempting to make any medical claims, but I do know from personal experience that proper nutrition and exercise go a long way in regards to overcoming negativity and seeing the world in a more positive light. It’s important not to see your body and mind as separate, because they are in fact one. An unhealthy body creates and unhealthy mind, and vice versa. Ideally, you should work on developing both, because your efforts will complement each other. If you improve your diet, you will improve your mental health. If you improve the quality of your thoughts (think positively), then your brain will release chemicals into your bloodstream that help to heal and maintain proper functioning of the body. Surely, you’ve gotten that tingly sensation throughout your body when you feel really happy, perhaps when you have a good laugh with your friends. That sensation is due to the brain’s release of certain neurotransmitters, or “happy chemicals.” Similarly, when you feed your body healthy, whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, it is able to produce the chemical compounds that keep your brain and body functioning at maximum efficiency. I won’t delve any further into this subject, because I think you get the point. A healthy body equals a healthy and happy mind. It’s much easier to more positive light. It’s important not to see your body and mind as separate, because they are in fact one.

An unhealthy body creates and unhealthy mind, and vice versa. Ideally, you should work on developing both, because your efforts will complement each other. If you improve your diet, you will improve your mental health. If you improve the quality of your thoughts (think positively), then your brain will release chemicals into your bloodstream that help to heal and maintain proper functioning of the body. Surely, you’ve gotten that tingly sensation throughout your body when you feel really happy, perhaps when you have a good laugh with your friends. That sensation is due to the brain’s release of certain neurotransmitters, or “happy chemicals.” Similarly, when you feed your body healthy, whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, it is able to produce the chemical compounds that keep your brain and body functioning at maximum efficiency.

I won’t delve any further into this subject, because I think you get the point. A healthy body equals a healthy and happy mind. It’s much easier to think happy thoughts when your body feels good and when you look good too. If you have aches and pains, it’s far too easy to complain and get trapped in a negative mindset. Consider treating your body with more care. You will be happier and enjoy a longer life as well.