Healthy Body vs Healthy Mind Which is More Important?

By changing our minds, we can change our lives.

Good diet, exercise, and quality sleep are important for our bodies, but did you know they help our minds stay healthy too?

Read on to discover how our minds and bodies are more connected than you might think…

The Mind & Body Connection

Mind-body medicine originated more than 4,000 years ago, when healers in China noticed that illness often followed periods of frustration in their patients’ lives.

Today, in the Western world, many health professionals also share the view that emotions, life events, and mental coping skills can have a very strong influence on our physical health.

But taking care of our minds as well as our bodies can pay off in lots of different ways. Including:

•  Allowing you to take charge of your life and feel good about the choices you make.
•  Gaining energy and feeling more fit.
•  Improving your physical health.
•  Gaining a positive outlook and finding more enjoyment in your life.
•  Being a role model for your family and friends.

So far so good, but how do you get the balance right?

After all, lots of physical exercise is OK (although it sounds a bit tiring!), but it’s no fun if our brains aren’t stimulated at the same time. But on the other side of the coin, a sharp stimulated mind isn’t much help if we get out of breath on the stairs or have aches and pains when we get out of bed!

But at Goodnick we believe that everyone is a ‘work in progress’ (even our Goodnick Guides!)

And that’s a good thing, because lasting changes take time. Mental wellbeing and fitness involves being aware and making healthy choices about diet, exercise and mental health.

Healthy Plates

There are a number of simple choices we can make to keep our minds and bodies in perfect balance:

Breakfast helps start the day right. It provides fuel for an active Goodnick workout and gives you the energy to think faster and more clearly…so don’t skip it!

Everything in Moderation. When eating, try to focus on feeling comfortable instead of being too full. When it comes to sweet treats like cakes and biscuits, you don’t have to always say ‘no’, but moderation will certainly stop the guilty feelings afterwards!

Make an effort to have more home-cooked meals. This can help encourage healthy eating. Also, it promotes more family time and conversation. If you need some inspiration, the weekly GoodFOOD recipe is a great place to start!

Healthy Bodies

Staying active is such an important part of maintaining a healthy, balanced life. Your Goodnick exercises are the perfect way to start.

There are also a few simple changes you can make to easily build activities into your daily routine.

Get off the screens. Too much screentime isn’t just something that children need to watch out for. All of us can spend more time squinting at a glowing rectangle than we realise. Is there something else you can be doing like walking, reading or enjoying a Goodnick workout?

Leave the car at home. Summer may be drawing to a swift close, but it doesn’t mean you have to drive everywhere. If you’re only going on a short journey, consider walking or cycling.

Enjoy the fruits of your labour. Autumn is a great time to enjoy the garden or allotment. The benefits of getting fresh air in your lungs and your hands in the soil can never be underestimated…and besides, those leaves aren’t going to rake themselves off the lawn!

Healthy Minds

Staying positive and motivated can help you live a healthier life. A positive outlook also makes it easier to make healthy food decisions and to stay active. To keep a healthy mind, you can:

Write it down. Schedule time to prioritise your own body and mind, just as you would for any other important appointment.

Make it fun. Listen to music or audio books while you walk so you stimulate your brain as well as your legs. Liven up your exercise routine with a Goodnick workout.

Volunteer. Helping others to stay active can improve your emotional outlook. Not only does it get you moving, but it feels great to help others as well!

Most importantly, do what feels right to take care of you! Every body and every mind is different, so always be mindful of the choices you make. Set aside time for yourself, be active, enjoy your life and share fun moments with your loved ones.

That’s the secret to having a balanced mind, body and soul!