Good physical health improves mental health

Abstract design made of head outlines, lights and abstract design elements on the subject of intelligence, consciousness, logical thinking, mental processes and brain power

Kaeyla Sayago/Contributing Writer

Have you ever stopped to think just how important your brain actually is? Have you thought about the hundreds of tasks it has to perform every hour just to keep your body functioning properly? What if your brain stopped working or wasn’t working at its full capacity?

Taking care of your mental health is the most important thing to watch out for and the best way to ensure your brain is working the best it can.

Being a college student, there are so many things that can bog your mind down. We stress about tests, homework, and everything else that takes up our time in college.

It can be very easy to let all these things get to you and put you in an unhealthy state of mind, but with physical activity and healthy eating habits, you can learn to balance everything college throws your way.

Physical activity is extremely important, especially being in college. It is proven that staying physically active not only helps your overall health but is a key factor in strengthening mental health. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that automatically make you feel happier and give you more energy. Often when someone is depressed or feeling very down about something, they are recommended to be physically active because of these mood enhancing endorphins. While pushing yourself to exercise can be a chore, once you’ve accomplished the workout, the benefits are amazing.

While physical activity is a huge factor in improving mental health, the greatest help comes from a healthy, balanced diet. The food that you eat every day is the only thing that is able to fuel your brain. If you are always eating junk food or constantly going to the McDonalds drive thru, this is what your brain has to keep going and performing all the tasks it was created to do. In order to improve mental health, a nutritious diet has to be eaten regularly. This will ensure that your brain gets the nutrients it needs, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, folic acid, and vitamin B12, which can all be found in nutrient dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins.  

My advice for you is to stop right now and think about how you’re feeling. Are you feeling sad, nervous, upset, happy, excited, loved? All of these have to do with your mental health. Once you figure out how you’re feeling, try to focus on eating a healthy, nutritious diet for a week. Then ask yourself those questions again. Have your answers changed? I guarantee they will.

 

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