By Natalie Clark
Do You Focus on Fitness #4Mind4Body?
Mental health is essential to overall health and well-being. Mental illnesses are common and treatable. Much of what we do physically, impacts us mentally, so it’s important to pay attention to your physical and mental health.
May is Mental Health Month, and the Laurence E. Schmidt Family Resource Center, a program of Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services, is kicking off “Fitness #4Mind4Body” to raise awareness about the important connection between physical and mental health.
A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health problems. It can also play a big role in recovering from these conditions. Taking good care of your body is part of a preventative approach to mental health.
Here are four key areas to consider:
Exercise. Getting the appropriate amount of exercise can help control weight, improve mental health, and help you live longer and healthier.
Nutrition. Recent research is also connecting your nutrition and gut health with your mental health.
Sleep. Rest plays a critical role in all aspects of our life and overall health. Getting a good night’s sleep is important tohaving enough physical and mental energy to take on daily responsibilities.
Stress Management. We all know that stress can have a huge impact on all aspects of our health, so it’s important to take time to focus on stress-reducing activities like meditation or yoga.
The Schmidt Family Resource Center wants everyone to know that mental illnesses are real and recovery is always the goal. Living a healthy lifestyle may not be easy, but by looking at your overall health every day – both physically and mentally – you can go a long way to ensuring that you have Fitness #4Mind4Body.
Please join us on the VLPFS campus for a Mental Health Fair on May 23rd for FREE screenings, to help raise awareness and learn more about the mind-body connection.
For more information, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may or call the Schmidt Family Resource Center at 870-367-9035.
