Emotional - Physical Health Connection


article by Scott Hoefker

Taking care of your body is an important step towards mental and emotional health. God created links between the human body and mind.

Man and woman running on beach with a palm tree in the background.
Source: iStockphoto.com

When your physical health improves, you'll experience greater mental and emotional well-being. Research has proven that exercise not only strengthens our heart and lungs, but also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals that energize us and affect our emotional and mental health in good ways.

Get enough rest. Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep each night to function optimally.

Exercise to relieve stress and lift your mood. Exercise is a powerful antidote to stress, anxiety and depression. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going on a short walk daily can help. Try for 30 minutes or more of exercise per day. The results will be noticeable!

Learn about good nutrition and practice it. The more you learn about what you eat and how it affects your energy and mood, the better you'll feel.

Get a dose of sunlight every day. God created sunlight in part to lift our mood. Try to get at least 10 minutes of sunshine per day. This can be done while exercising, gardening or in a social setting.

Avoid cigarettes and other drugs. These stimulants unnaturally make you feel good in the short term but have long-term negative consequences for mood and emotional health. Consider what God's Word makes clear: "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit . . . You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, New Living Translation).

2 comments
Submitted on Jan 18, 2013, 9:02 pm

irini_limaj

irini_limaj's picture

I need to remember this. Sunlight works really well to lift my mood. I can see that if the kids and I stay inside for the whole weekend, by the end of it we all look sick and feel sick. we need to take care of ourselves but with all the running around, it seems that we forget it.
Thanks.



Submitted on Jan 25, 2013, 2:11 am

michaelzidek

michaelzidek's picture

The latest studies indicate a vitamin D deficiency in most industrialized countries, And a direct link to depression, New guidelines are recommending 2,000-5,000 iu Vitamin D-3 Supplement. Sunshine provides Vit D, However, Even if you do happen to get enough sunlight, It takes time for the skin to absorb- Usually negated away by bathing, And apperantly todays Dairy Products do not contain the type of vit-d the body can use. Check for yourself of course, Easy to find info



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