This week marks the last in our three part series discussing the three pillars of health. We have already gone over some of the basics of the first two pillars, healthy eating, and getting good exercise. This week we will look at the importance of keeping a healthy mind.
When we say a healthy mind we are talking about the importance of remembering to look after our “spirit person”. This includes our mind, spirit, and soul. The pillars of health function like a tripod, just as a tripod cannot stand on a single or even two of its legs, so our health requires all three aspects working together to function properly. We can be eating really well and getting in all the right amounts of exercise yet if we are not looking after our spirit and mind we will keep ourselves from experiencing a healthy lifestyle in its fullness.
Something to note is that eating well and getting good exercise both help in the general health of our mind. When we are feeling anxious, a great way to help get our minds into a better place is to get out and do some exercise. Last week we touched on the benefits of getting out into the sun, allowing sunlight into our eyes and onto our skin and so as we put effort into the pillar of exercise we will often find that there are positive knock on effects in our mental health. The same can be said for the foods we eat. Sticking to a healthy diet helps keep our brain functioning well which in turn makes it easier for us to keep a healthy mind.
A great way to help us keep our minds positive and healthy is to maintain an attitude of gratitude. Regardless of what is going on around us there are always things we can find to be grateful for. We have breath in our lungs, food in our stomachs and a roof over our heads. Learning how to be thankful for the small things in life is a useful tool in helping us feed our “spirit person”. Gratitude is like a muscle, the more we exercise it the stronger it can become and as we start being thankful for the small things it will become easier and easier to keep this attitude remain positive during challenges that we face.
Another wonderful way to ensure a healthy mind is to try to get enough sleep on a daily basis. Find a routine that works for you. What can often happen is that if you go to bed too late you will find it harder to fall asleep, so try to keep your bedtime to a fairly consistent time each evening. If you find you are really struggling to get some good sleep you can scroll back and read our blog post on good sleep from the end of last year for some great tips. You could also consider using something like CBD oils which are great aids when it comes to getting good and restful sleep.
Lastly, try to ensure that you are connected to a community of people around you. We are social beings and function best when we have others around us to help us through some of life’s difficulties. A great way to feel like you are a part of a community is to visit a church and surround yourself with people who care about you and are willing to walk the journey of life with you. This is vital in maintaining a healthy mind, spirit and soul. Remember that it is not a bad thing to need help, whether that means taking CBD oil to help you get to sleep, or needing to call a friend and enjoy a coffee together so you can get some of your worries off your chest. Help is a great thing and should not be seen as something only the weak or unable need to get through life. We are better together!
In closing, always remember that the three pillars of health are all interlinked, each one needing the other two to be properly able to support your holistic wellbeing. We can often put too much focus on a single pillar and over achieve in that area not realizing that we are lacking in one or two of the other pillars. Remember that health is about balance and when we keep our diet, exercise, and mind equally fed we will find that we are able to function at our best and feel our most healthy.
