Our minds and bodies are not separate entities. They coexist, which means they work together to keep your body in optimal order. The inner workings of our digestive systems don’t just help us digest food, they also guide our emotions. Our bodies produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods and inhibit pain. Ninety-five percent of serotonin is produced in our gastrointestinal tract, which is lined with millions of nerve cells, or neurons. Every aspect of our lives is controlled by our brain—our thoughts, movements, breathing, heartbeat, senses and more. And like everything else in our bodies, the brain requires energy—in the form of the foods we eat.
Brain works hard to manage your movements, thoughts, breathing, and overall communication with the rest of your body. It needs vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to do its job effectively. Therefore, when you deprive your brain of excellent nutrition, the rest of the body suffers. And, in addition to being more at risk for preventable diseases, you are also more likely to feel sluggish, irritable, and depressed during the day.
Honoring the mind-body connection may require examining nutrition, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. To improve both your physical and mental health, you’ll want to integrate physical exercise, adequate sleep, and regular stress reduction techniques.
What You Eat Makes A Difference
Foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk products, seafood and lean meats, eggs, beans and legumes along with nuts are packed with beneficial nutrients at low caloric levels. These foods provide the fuel your brain needs 24/7 to stay healthy and active while functioning at its best. Processed and refined foods are lower in quality and can be harmful to your body. Causing inflammation and stress, they can actually inhibit your brain function as your body struggles to get rid of damaging chemicals found in these foods. The brain, like any other organ, needs the right nutrients to function well.
Do Not Skip Breakfast
Breakfast is needed to fuel your body (including your brain) after going without food during sleep and also jump starts your metabolism for the day. Skipping meals leads to fatigue and feelings of “brain fog.”
Make sure you’re not thirsty
It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying well hydrated will also help you make healthier food choices. Have a glass of water whenever feeling thirsty. It keeps you hydrated and it’ll help your mind stay focussed. When you’re dehydrated it’s hard for your brain to concentrate. You’re also more likely to have a headache.
Exercise using something you love
Physical exercise has been shown in countless studies to help reduce stress, increase energy, improve mood, and even help make us more creative. All the physical aspects of exercise that benefit the body also benefit the brain and all of the neurological functions it performs.
Meditate regularly
Meditation improves memory, attention, mood, immune system function, sleep, and creativity. Similar to physical exercise, there are several different methods and forms of meditation, so do a little adventuring and experimentation to find a method and form that works for you. Everyone is different and different methods of meditation tend to work better for different people.
If you want to make real, lasting change in your commitment to a healthy mind and body, then take charge and learn how to revitalize and transform the level of physical health, energy and vitality that you experience daily.
