5 Steps to Achieve Physical and Mental Wellness

Achieving physical and mental wellness is essential for living a healthy and balanced life.

Fitness

and strength are key components of physical wellness, while health and well-being are important for mental wellness. Unfortunately, rural communities may find it difficult to access mental health providers and health care. However, there are steps that can be taken to improve physical and mental wellness.

The first step is to find the type of exercise that works best for you. This could be joining an informal sports team, going for a walk with a friend or pet, or doing yoga from the comfort of your home. Physical activity has been shown to help clear the mind, improve self-esteem, and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website provides information on recommended physical activity guidelines for different age levels. Additionally, following a healthy bedtime routine can make you feel happier and calmer and can help you focus better during the day. Encouraging physical activity in children is also important.

A physically active child is less likely to experience stress-related symptoms than their more sedentary peers. The United States Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Administration (SAMSHA) provides information on the eight dimensions of well-being and strategies for developing healthy habits.

5 Steps to Achieve Physical & Mental Wellness

Achieving physical and mental wellness requires dedication and commitment. Here are five steps that will help you reach your goals:

1. Find the right type of exercise: Find an exercise that works best for you - whether it's joining an informal sports team, going for a walk with a friend or pet, or doing yoga from the comfort of your home.
2. Follow physical activity guidelines: Learn more about recommended physical activity guidelines for different age levels on this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
3. Develop healthy sleep habits: Poor sleep may be the cause of mental health problems or make them worse. Following a healthy bedtime routine can make you feel happier and calmer.
4. Encourage physical activity in children: A physically active child is less likely to experience stress-related symptoms than their more sedentary peers.
5. Watch what you put into your body: Watching what you put into your body, the amount of activity you do, and your weight are important for your body to keep working properly.

Pre-exercise screening tests are used to identify people with medical conditions that may increase the risk of experiencing a health problem during physical activity.

Reassure them that sports such as cycling (always wearing a helmet), swimming, basketball, running, brisk walking, cross-country skiing, dancing, aerobics, and soccer which are practiced regularly are not only fun but can also promote health. Aerobic activity can make the heart pump more efficiently reducing the incidence of high blood pressure. Increases in daily activity can come from small changes made throughout the day such as walking or biking instead of using the car getting off the streetcar train or bus one stop earlier and walking the rest of the way or taking children to school. Loss of flexibility can be a predisposing factor to physical problems such as pain syndromes or balance disorders. NIH scientists study how your diet weight activity level and habits affect your health. The Earl E Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing (the creator of this website) is currently researching the impact of mindfulness on physical activity. By following these five steps, you can take control of your physical and mental well-being.

With dedication and commitment, you can achieve a healthier lifestyle that will benefit both your body and mind.