Mind, Body and Soul
Trends in the health, diet and fitness are constantly changing. One day something is good for you and the next day it’s not. This can become confusing, overwhelming and self-defeating. The key to optimal health is to live an optimal lifestyle, and that is where the average busy and often stressed person fails. There are components to fitness that are equally shared: mind and body and soul.
Mind:
Mental health pertains specifically as the ability to learn and to grow intellectually. A healthy mind is one that is able to interact with people and the environment. It is also able to cultivate and sustain healthy relationships.
How to improve your mental health:
- New experiences and learning new skills enhance this aspect. It is also important to make the time for self-reflection, which many people overlook.
- Meditation, reading, journal writing and puzzle solving to name a few, are a few good methods to sharpen the mind.
- Concentration also mentally prepares you for the next aspect, training the body.
Body:
Physical health seems pretty self explanatory but many people tend to overlook the other components of fitness. Naturally, any type of movement or physical activity is beneficial to improve health. If you are currently following some type of fitness program or routine, remember, cardio alone is not enough. Incorporate resistance/strength training as well as flexibility. Take care of your body and it will take care of you!
How to improve your physical health:
- cardio- train your heart at least 4-7 days a week, 30 minutes minimum
- resistance/strength training 2-4 days a week
- flexibility training 4-7 days a week
- Keep a healthy BMI (Body composition and proportion of fat free mass)
- Eat a healthy diet. Eat small meals evenly throughout the day
- Refer to Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living and Canada’s Food Guide http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php
Soul:
- Spirituality, for some is still a vague subject. It is simply recognized as the ability to put into practice moral or religious beliefs. Spiritual wellness may not be something that gets much attention, yet its impact on your life is unavoidable. The basis of spirituality is discovering a sense of meaningfulness in your life and coming to know that you have a purpose to fulfill. For many people it is based on religious beliefs, for others being at peace with nature can give a sense of spiritual connection.
How to improve your spiritual health:
- Be quiet. Take time for yourself every day, even if it’s just before going to sleep, or when driving home.
- Practice being non-judgmental and have an open mind
- Be receptive to pain or times of sorrow. It is often in these times when we discover how spirituality can help us cope.
- Practice forgiveness
- Pray, meditate or worship
- Live joyfully
You will feel stronger, happier and be able to do more activities no matter your age. Practicing wellness will reduce the effects of aging and allow participation in sports and recreation that might not be possible with lower levels of fitness. Having greater levels of fitness will reduce the incidence of injury and also reduce the chance of illness. Good health is something that we should all be investing in. Health is wealth.
