Anytime, Anywhere?
It’s a fact. We are inundated with information on what to eat and how to exercise, meditate, quiet our minds, find happiness, de-stress, improve our sleep, and other healthy, well-being topics. At the same time, we find ourselves looking for information on how to be a better person - a better friend, spouse, parent, co-worker, child, or sibling.
These topics are everywhere with how to’s and how to achieve “success,” along with every other angle. The information is prolific with articles, apps, podcasts, TED talks, news broadcasts, and more. Sources run the gamut from actual science to folklore and even superstition. All are well-meaning, and many prove helpful.
How do you discern fact from fiction (or promotion)? It’s not easy without a deep dive. The prevalence of information (among infinite Google Search results) illustrates the need to take a step back and truly assess.
Let’s start where we are. Each of us has a body and a mind.
The human mind is very complex. The human body is an intricate machine.
As with any complicated system, our body needs fuel. Yet there are many factors contributing to how we nourish our bodies. If we had simple, basic wiring, we would only eat foods to feed and nourish our bodies. We would not want foods that can do more harm than good, or have no real nutritional value. Instead, it is more complicated with our minds playing an integral role in what we eat, as we consume food for nutrition, comfort, sociability, and even to calm anxiety.
Therefore, to have a healthy body, we must decipher our complex systems. A nutrition plan or a weight loss program is never successful without recognizing the intricacies, the complexities, and the integration of the mind-body.
It is similar for our mental health. The actual signals are not enough; we must realize and understand them to act on them properly in a fully beneficial way. We can feel we are stressed or anxious, but we must explore the “why” to actually heal and nourish our minds.
Should the body and the mind be approached differently? Or, are they one?
A healthy body relies on a healthy mind, and a healthy mind optimizes a healthy body. They do work together and the approach should be as if they are one. It is imperative to think of a mind-body integration, as integral in evolving both physically and mentally.
In many cultures, we are not schooled on the mind-body connection at a young age (nor any age). We do not grow up learning how to make our bodies and minds strong and resilient. By the time we realize its importance, we have (or chosen) other priorities. It is understandable it takes added support and resources to explore your true mental and physical well-being and achieve your goals.
Our “Healthy Body” Series, and more
We are excited to kick-off our “Healthy Body” Series. We will explore the why, how, where, and what with actionable responses and ways to attain both a healthy body and a healthy mind. For instance, enjoy this blog on easy ways to integrate healthy eating into our busy lives. The Series will also review how to overcome the obstacles before us. We will learn to identify the uniqueness (and beauty) of our bodies and our minds. We will learn viable paths to accept and love ourselves - physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Want additional support? Our Guides are here to help identify your aspirations, explore obstacles, overcome barriers and achieve success by supporting you in understanding the complex interaction between Body and Mind. Our Guides are uniquely qualified and proficient in nutrition, meditation, stress release, calming the mind, self-worth, positive mindset, and more.
###
Interested in offering the LifeGuides benefit for your employees, your team? Reach out and connect with us for a demo.
By Carolyn McGraw, LifeGuide, Healthy Body
Carolyn holds a degree in Nutrition Science and is an Educator in the field, as well as an instructor in yoga and other practices supporting both the mind and body.
