Latest posts by Derek Carroll (see all)
- Soup for the Soul: Healing Through Holistic Approaches - July 24, 2012
- 5 Reasons Why I Shop And Buy Online - July 22, 2012
- 5 Steps to Living a Happier And Healthier Life - October 19, 2011
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Here’s The Issue
Everyone wants to be more healthy. We run from one place to another, from work, to duties at home, to helping the family”¦ and we just don’t have time to stop.
This causes stress, we don’t eat properly, and we certainly don’t get as much sleep as we’d like to. These are all factors which can lead to serious health problems, both physiological and psychological, including changes in the chemistry of our brain. Sometimes these changes can be so severe that people become depressed, but there are ways to improve our brain chemistry without resorting to harmful prescription medicines.
A holistic approach to health and healing takes into account all aspects of the body, and doesn’t only look at symptoms which are actually manifesting.
Let’s assume you’re starting to feel some of the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. These can be caused by low levels of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. So here are 5 holistically based steps you can take to regain your motivation, your pleasure in life, and to be healthier physically and mentally.
1. Recognize every achievement
This is the most important of all. If you can’t recognize achievements then you will not start to feel any improvement, whether it be physical or mental. Before you go to bed at night, write down every single thing you have achieved that day. Even small things like getting dressed are achievements for some people when they are feeling really low, so don’t neglect these.
DO NOT write down anything you “failed” to do. If you only partly completed a task, then write down what you did, and ignore the bits you didn’t do. If you had to make a difficult call, and it actually yielded a negative result, focus on the fact that you made that call, not on what happened afterwards.
When you start to focus on the positive achievements as a regular activity then you will start to retrain yourself to think positively rather than negatively. This really does work.
2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet
If you eat healthy foods, you are more likely to have a healthy body and a healthy mind. A vitamin rich diet, with plenty of whole foods, and foods which increase dopamine levels (for example soy products, avocados, almonds and a number of “superfoods” such as spirulina) will all help your general health and your mood.
Try not to overcook foods, to vary your diet, and to eat foods from every food group.
Supplements can also be useful; especially as modern farming methods can strip our foods of some of their beneficial nutrients. Omega 3, L tyrosine, mucuna pruiriens, and rhodiola may be beneficial, and green tea has also been shown to have some benefits.
Don’t forget to drink water too. Water is very important for our diet and many of the symptoms of general ill health (physically or mentally) may be made worse by dehydration.
3. Take time out
Relaxation is so important in today’s hectic society. You can search for some great ways to relax on-line, including meditation and visualization, but sometimes a peaceful walk along a beach or a long hot bath with a good book is enough to relax your mind.
4. Physical Exercise
The importance of this cannot be stressed enough. If your body is fit, your mind will also become fitter. Plus, exercise releases chemicals into the brain that help transmit feelings of pleasure, much like serotonin and dopamine. So whether you want to go for a run in the park, join an aerobics or dance class, or work out at home, then you can find something that will benefit your health.
In fact, a friend of mine was really struggling with mental fatigue and general apathy so I persuaded him to join me in a physical exercise program. Another friend told us about the p90x program. So we looked at some p90x reviews and decided it fitted the profile of what we were looking for. It was challenging and flexible. We then had to find the best adjustable dumbbells to use with it and once we’d got everything, we couldn’t wait to get started!
Now, just a few months later, my friend is a different person. He has energy and a new positive outlook on life. I’m sure a great deal of that is down to his exercise regime.
5. Mind, body and spirit
So you’ve made progress with the mind, focusing on the positive aspects of your life, and by relaxing; you’ve made progress with the body, with healthy eating and exercise; but a truly holistic approach will also look at the spiritual health of a person.
You do not need to follow any particular religion, or believe in God to be spiritual, but very often trusting in a Higher Power of some kind can greatly improve a tired, stressed, person’s mental and physical state.
What’s your plan for a healthier and happier you? Share it here!
