Mental Well-Being
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make healthy choices.
The following three points are areas of your life to focus on as a means of improving your mental wellness. Please note these points are not necessarily “solutions” and it’s vital to speak to your health practitioner if you are struggling with your mental health.
1. Diet
“You are what you eat” is undoubtedly an overused saying people have passed around in the health and fitness sphere for a long time. However, you can’t ignore the truth it speaks. Your nutritional choices can make a huge difference in how you feel, function, and live.
Basing your nutrition around whole and nutritious foods is essential for providing your body with all the necessary nutrients to operate at peak efficiency. We must consume enough protein, complex carbs, heart-healthy fats, dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
When you stick to a diet of healthy food, you’re setting you’re setting yourself up for fewer mood fluctuations, an overall happier outlook and an improved ability to focus. Studies have also found that health diets can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Assess your current eating habits. Identify areas you know you can improve on and work slowly towards making necessary changes. If you aren’t sure on where to start, speak to your GP or if possible invest in a meal plan.
2. Exercise
Regular physical activity is an integral part on mental well-being. Movement is in our DNA, and being active is one of the best things we can do to feel better, boost our productivity, and maintain a positive outlook.
According to research, physically active individuals are happier, enjoy greater success, and are more fulfilled in their personal lives. In contrast, sedentary individuals tend to suffer from health issues more often and are at a higher risk of mental conditions like depression and anxiety.
The great thing about exercise is that you don’t have to do anything specific, especially something you don’t enjoy. You can pick from various exercise modalities and approaches and perform those that fit your goals, schedule, preferences, and more.
Weight training is one of the most beneficial exercise modalities for people of all ages because it contributes to stronger bones, improved functionality, higher insulin sensitivity, and other benefits.
3. Sleep
Getting enough rest each night is crucial for our health and well-being. An ever-growing body of research suggests that poor sleep is linked to a variety of health issues, including:
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Cardiovascular disease
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Metabolic problems
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High blood pressure (hypertension)
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Increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.
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Obesity.
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Impaired immune system function
In addition, lack of sleep puts us at a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Sleep deprivation is among the leading causes of low quality of life, dissatisfaction, and emotional issues. According to general guidelines, the average person needs seven to nine hours of sleep per night. While it might seem like you’re coping just fine on less sleep, depriving yourself leads to something researchers call sleep debt. It accumulates like financial debt, and payment comes due sooner or later.
At ENZED Fitness we strongly value the importance mental well-being. We view health holistically, valuing the maintenance and care of both your body and your mind. We encourage all members to take the time to asses their current mental well-being and reach out to a professional to assist in taking steps to better their overall health if and when necessary.
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