something I never understood
Have you ever heard of the mind-body connection? It’s a two-way relationship where the mind influences the body, and the body influences the mind. Things like positive thoughts can lead to the release of feel-good neurotransmitters while physical sensations can influence our mental state. When I was sat in the psychiatrist’s office and they discussed things like exercise, diet, and medication, I’d roll my eyes. I got feel good sensations from eating a cookie. And the medications have only made things worse. I had no idea that finding the right medications, eating a healthy diet, and simply exercising thirty minutes a day would change my life.
If you walked the Earth three hundred years ago, you would witness the first time the mind and the body were separated in evaluation (mostly medically). The body was seen as a machine with no connection to the mind whatsoever. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the mind-body connection was discovered and studied. This research reveals complex links between the body and mind. The brain plays a part in planning, and involuntary bodily functions like blood pressure and a heartbeat. That’s why anxiety can have physical effects and stimulating the vagus nerve can reduce depression. Practices like meditation and mindfulness were found to have an effect both the mind and the body as a team. I can say that I know all of this to be true.
How do you plan your meals and schedule time for exercise when you can’t get out of your bed to brush your teeth? I know what it feels like, and I know the guilt that ensues when you have to confess you actually can’t or lie and say you did just to stay hidden a bit longer. I couldn’t have taken any of these steps earlier than I did. I know that you know already that these things help, but I have to ask, do you actually believe that it will? We all want out of the mental health challenges that we face, but the solution is almost impossible to achieve. It wasn’t until I started looking at diet and exercise as another dose of medication or solution to my problems. That’s when you make the veggies. That’s when you take that walk.
So, how do you switch your mindset? Slowly and with much disappointment and failure. I didn’t wake up one day and it was easy again, and that won’t happen for you, either. But taking the smallest step will one day forge you into the person you dream of being. And I can’t stress enough how important the mind-body connection is. I learned how to take care of my mind in therapies and programs, but the physical aspect was merely suggested. It wasn’t until I did both that I was even able to use what I had learned about my mind. I started labeling. I started breathing. I started seeing results.
Start by planning one meal. Start with a walk around the block. It may feel like nothing, but it truly is everything. Make sure to take your medications and always tell your psychiatrist if you don’t think they are working. It is your body. It is your mind. You know yourself best. Through diet and exercise, natural energy and happiness is possible. I don’t say that to guilt you. I just want you to try it and see how the mind-body connection affects you. Never give up. You can do anything.
xoxo
