Mental and Physical Wellness
What is the difference between mental and physical wellness? As we’ve mentioned in our previous Wellness blogs, Wellness is the act of repeating healthy habits every day to achieve better physical and mental health. The key to Wellness is being aware of both mental and physical health. Our physical health is exactly that, our physical well-being. That means taking into consideration what we eat and how we exercise. Whereas, mental health is the state of your mind. One can be in amazing physical shape but that does not mean their mental health is amazing and vice versa. Talking about mental health can be challenging at times. According to Hopkins Medicine, “An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older — about 1 in 4 adults — suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” We’re here to help erase that stigma and talk about how one can improve their own mental and physical health. Let’s get into it!
Mental Health
Mental Wellness, or as most other people call it – Mental Health is defined as, “Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act” according to MenatlHealth.gov. Did you know that mental health has been discussed as a concept since ancient Greece? That’s right! Though mental health seems like a relatively new concept, it has been talked about for hundred of thousands of years. A lot of the time we focus on our physical health without thinking about our mental health, though these can go hand in hand. Some people may find it hard to exercise when they’re not mentally ready to start that task. That’s important when it comes to Mental and Physical health. So how do we take care of our Mental Health?
Tips on Mental Health
With most Wellness routines, one size does not fit all. There are 7 billion people in the world and good luck trying to find a routine that 100% works for even 1 billion of those people. That being said, listen to yourself and know your own mind and body. One tip we constantly hear about Mental Health is to socialize. Now, that does not mean go on social media! However, if Zoom or Face-timing are a good way to socialize with your friends, then do so! Moved to a new area and don’t know too many locals? We recommend joining a meetup group that aligns with a special hobby or interest. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.” Some of us are introverts and some of us are extroverts and that’s totally understandable. Still try to broaden your horizons and find a hobby that you can socialize with! Other mental health tips include, mediating, staying active, getting rest, and more. Check out more Mental health tips from Mental Health America.
Physical Wellness
According to Northwestern University, Physical Wellness can be defined as, recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep, as well as preventing illness and injury or managing chronic health conditions. Dieting and exercise are most important when focusing on your physical wellness. Again, one size does not fit all and we’re not here to scold or criticize. We want to help! There’s a reason we put mental health first before physical health. It’s important to start with your mental health and then start working on your physical help. Can you do this simultaneously? Absolutely! We actually encourage it. Starting any physical activity can be daunting. We understand that. Many times we start, get into a routine, and then stop. What can we do to stay on track? We’ll get into that below.
Tips on Physical Wellness
We’ve said this multiple times, but start small. Do not try to run a mile or climb a 14er right away. You need to build your muscles (and your brain re: mental health!) to be able to build on each other. Often times when staring a work out we want to go as hard as possible but we have to know our limits. Did you know… “Overtraining occurs when a person partakes in too much physical training with too little rest and recovery after hard workouts. The resulting stress placed on the muscles, joints and bones causes fatigue and soreness that ultimately affects performance,” according to NBC News. Other tips for working out include, setting realistic goals, mixing exercises up (Did you know, it’s actually a myth to focus on certain muscles each day?), and getting yourself motivated with music. To continue that success, try to measure and improve every day. Seeing and experiencing change can help boost your overall performance. Now, there is an addendum to that of course, if you find yourself backtracking, do not get down on yourself. There is always another day to improve!
Overall Wellness
We also want to mention that with physical and mental wellness you should be wary of that you consume. Stick to fruits, veggies, natural foods, etc. Protein is of course great to build muscle and get your body to repair itself. Include some of our CBD products and start a supplement regime to get the nutrients you need to encourage overall Wellness. Everyone is going to have different dietary restrictions, so make sure you chat with your doctor and do your research to find out what works for you. Mental and physical health can go hand and hand when it comes to taking into account your overall Wellness. Be true to yourself and set realistic goals. Remember, the point of Wellness is to improve your whole self. Be cognizant of your surroundings, what you’re eating, what your daily activities are, and what you can do to set in motion change. You are your biggest cheerleader when it comes to Wellness!
