So you wonder… what is the single most important thing you can do to be successful at becoming healthy? It's so simple you probably have never even thought about it! Do this, and you are halfway there! It's not a physical thing, as I've been trying to emphasize. It's the mind-body connection—being aware of and very in touch with your mind. You think, and then you do. It's a matter of training your mind to control your thoughts, emotions, and your body, rather than just a random sequence of events determining what you do each day. Most people are reactive, not proactive.
Consider this: you have a bunch of errands, work in a few hours, bills to pay, a meeting, etc. What do you almost always blow off and tell yourself, "I'll do it tomorrow?" The gym! You just gave your health a low priority. Many prioritize making money. I suggest you could have put off something else without major disruption. Why the gym? Because you pick the easy, non-painful way out—not that the gym is painful. Until you condition your mind that the gym is your sanctuary, where you escape troubles, get into your zone, and release endorphins, you'll prioritize trivial things above it. Changing nothing means remaining the same. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Unless you try something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." When you stop growing, you become old. You can be 30 and be old. Without knowledge and passion, you miss an extraordinary life.
Prioritizing Your Well-being: A Foundation for a Fulfilling Life
So, what's the key? Make your overall health a priority! Realize you have nothing without it. A sick millionaire is as unhealthy as a sick low-income person. What good are millions with a chronic disease from a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits? You are not bulletproof. Don't wait for health problems to prioritize it. Take action today. Procrastinating reinforces negative habits and is self-deception. Live in the now—the past is over, and the future is unknown. Be healthy now and happy now. The mind-body connection is a complex interplay of neurological, hormonal, and immunological processes. Chronic stress, for example, can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to imbalances in cortisol levels, which can impact various bodily functions, including metabolism, immune response, and mental health. (Sapolsky, R. M. (2004).
Why zebras don't get ulcers (3rd ed.). W. H. Freeman.) Furthermore, research in psychoneuroimmunology has demonstrated the intricate link between psychological states and immune system function. Positive emotions and social support have been associated with enhanced immune responses, while negative emotions and social isolation can suppress immunity. (Cohen, S., & Herbert, T. B. (1996).
Health psychology: Psychological factors and physical disease from the perspective of human psychoneuroimmunology. Annual review of psychology, 47(1), 113-142.) This highlights the importance of cultivating positive mental states and managing stress as crucial aspects of overall health and well-being. Regular physical activity has been shown to have profound effects on both physical and mental health. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, which have mood-boosting and pain-relieving effects. It also improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. (Warburton, D. E. R., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. D. (2006).
Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian medical association journal, 174(6), 801-809.) Moreover, engaging in regular physical activity can enhance cognitive function, improve sleep quality, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. (Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for mental health. Primary care companion to The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 8(2), 106.) Therefore, prioritizing physical activity as a regular part of one's lifestyle is essential for optimizing both physical and mental well-being.
Embracing the Present: A Path to Health and Happiness
This message from a friend resonates: "Just for Today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse or neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding. Just for today I will be happy." This echoes Abraham Lincoln's sentiment that most folks are as happy as they make their minds up to be. Happiness comes from within—it is not a matter of externals. "Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me." The concept of mindfulness, derived from ancient contemplative practices such as meditation and yoga, has gained increasing recognition in modern psychology and healthcare. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment, cultivating awareness of thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations as they arise. Research has shown that mindfulness-based interventions can effectively reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improve attention, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. (Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990).
Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. Delacorte Press.) By incorporating mindfulness practices into daily life, individuals can develop a greater sense of self-awareness and cultivate a more positive and accepting relationship with their thoughts and emotions. This can contribute to enhanced mental and emotional resilience and promote a greater sense of overall well-being. The integration of healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management techniques, along with cultivating a positive mindset and prioritizing mental and emotional well-being, forms a holistic approach to health. This comprehensive strategy acknowledges the interconnectedness of mind and body and emphasizes the importance of addressing all aspects of well-being to achieve optimal health and a fulfilling life. By making conscious choices to prioritize health and well-being in all its dimensions, individuals can empower themselves to live more vibrant, meaningful, and fulfilling lives.
Footnote: Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why zebras don't get ulcers (3rd ed.). W. H. Freeman. Cohen, S., & Herbert, T. B. (1996). Health psychology: Psychological factors and physical disease from the perspective of human psychoneuroimmunology. Annual review of psychology, 47(1), 113-142. Warburton, D. E. R., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. D. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian medical association journal, 174(6), 801-809. Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for mental health. Primary care companion to The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 8(2), 106. Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. Delacorte Press.
This article is editorial in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a physician for any health-related concerns, whether psychological or physical.
