In general, we are aware that we need to take care of our bodies by eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep. There are about a gazillion (scientifically speaking) articles written about the health benefits of each of these factors. But often in being busy eating salads on our treadmills, we neglect to check in with our own minds.
Staying healthy isn’t all about exercise. Sometimes it’s as easy as finding an excuse to smile.
Stop and ask yourself, “Hey, how are you?” It may sound ridiculous but the health of the body cannot be separated from the mind. A recent article from the Huffington Post summarized this concept nicely:
Understanding the body-mind relationship won’t necessarily cure all our physical difficulties but by learning the language of symptoms and illness we can discover what is being repressed or ignored in our psyche and emotions, and how this is influencing our well-being.
In other words, don’t let depression be compounded by its ability to worsen heart disease and diabetes (among other illnesses). Where have you found a little happy to stay healthy lately?