How to find the connection between your body and mind

When taking care of yourself, it’s important to remember that you have two things to take care of, not one.

It’s easy to get mixed up. Well, the brain is inside the body, but it’s a whole different continent. Okay, one side is saying, “Mental health is what matters the most!” the other is shouting, “No, physical well-being is at the top of the list!”.

Do a little research the next time you sit down to scroll on social media. Fitness people post about exercise, what to do, and how it helps. Mental supportive people post how to take care of yourself mentally. Don’t get me wrong, the fact that physical and mental health awareness is rising helps out a lot of people. That’s the point. But can get confused.

But only so little of today’s society connects mental and physical health.

An example

If you don’t believe that someone who’s deeply involved in fitness can also struggle with mental health, consider Lando Norris.

The same Lando who’s flying across the world, to drive his super fast car in loops over and over again.

If you’re not really into Formula 1, let me tell you - the preparation for driving in said loops is mind-blowing. They need to cope with the high G-forces experienced during races. That includes lots of strength, stamina and neck training. All 20 of them have extreme fitness regimes.

You’d think that someone like him - a rich driver, who’s super fit- wouldn’t talk about mental problems. Well, he does. Lando has opened up numerous times about his mental difficulties and how he struggles.

And when he struggles his performance goes down.

We are no Formula 1 drivers, but sure does our performance depend on both mental and physical well-being.

A real-life example

An example of how the brain affects the body is stress. When you stress about something, you stay up late thinking about it. You don’t get much sleep, and your body feels tired, leading to numerous consequences.

An example of how the body affects your brain would be women’s menstrual cycle. Each month a physical trigger comes in. It would seem that mentally, they wouldn’t be affected. Wrong. Hormonal changes often affect women’s mood.

Fun fact: even though a lot of people make sexist jokes about women’s PMS, only a small portion of women get changes in mood and behaviour. So, the next time a woman swings her fist to your teeth, think about that maybe she’s actually mad and not just on her cycle.

When taking care of yourself, it’s important to remember that you're not just caring for one thing. Both your mind and body need attention. Sure, they’re connected, but they also function separately, each with its own set of needs.

How to mental health

Ok ok, you get that it’s important to take care of both body and mind, but how do you take care of them separately?

Starting off with mental health:

• Connecting with others - research shows that social connections help us live a happier life.

• Be physically active - exercise causes chemical changes in our brain, which causes a positive change in our mood. Please don’t overdo it, a walk, run, pilates, anything that makes you happy and gets you moving is okay.

• Relaxation - while it’s crucial to have discipline and work your way to reach your goals, having at least a few hours of getting away is necessary for your mind, which has been dealing with a lot of stress. Unless you are a stress-free person, then you can overlook this point.

Anything that gets your mind off of things is good for you, so find something that makes you happy, whether it’s reading a book or taking a bubble bath.

How to physical health

Moving on to physical health:

• Be physically active pt.2 - exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to tissues, which energises your body.

• Diet - to keep that energy going, it’s important to balance your food intake. A balanced diet helps your body to receive a supply of energy throughout the day. Nutrients support various bodily functions, such as tissue repair and immune function. So, if you go to the gym and lift heavy, focus on your nutrient intake( and, of course, protein)

• Sleep - during the necessary 8-hour sleep session, our body releases growth hormones, which repair the muscle tissue. Poor sleep can increase your appetite and cravings, especially for fast food.

Long story short - get enough sleep, eat well and move your body.

How to balance both of them

It’s easy to describe both of them, but how do you actually balance both of them on your plate?

It may seem like a lot to balance, but as you can see, some of the techniques help both of them. For example, physical activity. It’s hard at the start, but as you cruise through your life difficulties, taking care of your physical and mental well-being becomes easier and easier.

Two main things to focus on are moving and resting.

Fine line

It’s easy to get lost in one area. It may seem that focusing on two things at once is impossible; it is, so, take care of them separately or do activities that help both of them.

As I said, when you start, it becomes easier and easier, later on in life, you’ll do it automatically. Physical and mental well-being are crucial for being happy and finding purpose in life.

What can you start doing right now to balance both your body and mind?

“Don't be a reflection of your depression, your dark, or your ugly. Reflect what you want. Your light, your beauty, & your strength. Aspire for greatness - reflect who you are; not which deficits you maintain. Showcase the hidden treasures.”―Tiffany Luard