Mental health practitioners routinely nurture modifications to thoughts and behaviors as a means of helping people manage overwhelming emotions. Recently though, clinical efforts have increased attention towards nurturing physical activity as a means of increasing resilience to overwhelming emotions. Listed below are six ways you can nurture your physical health which will also improve your emotional health.
Improve Eating Habits
The food you eat affects you both physically and emotionally. Foods with high sugar content can make people feel temporarily energized. This usually comes at the price of a rapid decline which can leave a person feeling excessively tired or depressed. Eating a moderate amount of a wide variety of foods every day can provide balanced energy and improved mental health.
Being Mindful of Stimulant and Depressant Intake
Many people drink coffee (a stimulant) to increase their energy or have alcoholic beverages (a depressant) to increase their feelings of calmness. Over time excessive use of these substances can increase a person’s tolerance and have adverse emotional consequences. Also, it is important to be mindful of the consequences of using these substances and modify behavior if needed.
Increasing Physical Exercise
Many studies have found a link between optimal mental health and physical exercise. Likewise, lack of physical exercise is a common behavior pattern related to depression. Increasing physical activity has both physical and mental benefits.
Getting the Appropriate Amount of Sleep
Most people will recall feeling irritable, distressed and indecisive when they don’t get enough sleep the night before. Improving the quality of sleep is the cornerstone of functioning effectively.
Attending to Physical Illness
It is pretty much impossible for a person to feel emotionally healthy if they are not feeling physically healthy. The strategies listed above are the best ones to reduce the potential for physical illness.
Reducing Physical Tension and Pain
Muscle tension and pain can result from and have a negative impact on mental health. Learning progressive relaxation strategies, mindfulness and self-soothing skills are strategies to reduce physical pain and tension.
Reducing vulnerability to overwhelming emotions and improving emotional regulation are topics incorporated in the DBT group provided at Specialized Therapy Associates. Should you have any interest in this group, please call 201-488-6678 for details.
Our sister company, Exceptional You, also incorporates a physical activity/health element into their health and life coaching programs. Should you be interested in that, please call 844-477-STAR(7827).
