영문원본
Happy body, happy mind
By Neil Micklewood
There are many benefits of a healthy body and weight, but did you know that physical wellbeing is really great for your mental wellbeing too? These are some of the fantastic benefits of a happy body:
Happiness
If you like the way you look in the mirror, it triggers reward centres in your brain which boost your mood and energy. Also, celebrating your healthy body progress supports your weight goals and helps sustain your mental wellbeing.
By regularly celebrating your successes and how you sustain them, you build ‘happiness switches’ in your brain. The more often these are flicked on, the more likely they are to turn on in the future, supporting your wellbeing over time. These happiness switches can also grow new connections so that more things trigger them, maintaining your mental wellbeing.
Movement
Your body is designed for movement, and a healthy weight supports healthy movement. Movement triggers those happiness switches which release endorphins and neurotransmitters, which support and maintain a healthy mood. Movement also activates your body’s built-in medicine cabinet which can reduce pain, boost your immune system, support motivation, increase energy, and burn off stress.
Nutrition
Your body is designed for movement, and a healthy weight supports healthy movement. Movement triggers those happiness switches which release endorphins and neurotransmitters, which support and maintain a healthy mood. Movement also activates your body’s built-in medicine cabinet which can reduce pain, boost your immune system, support motivation, increase energy, and burn off stress.
Nutrients can also be things which trigger happiness switches because your body literally gets a buzz from the things it knows are good for it.
Relaxation
A body which has all its organ systems running in harmony promotes a state of physical and neurological balance which promotes calmness and wellbeing.
A body which is stressed by poor nutrition or harmful chemicals can trigger fight or flight systems which pump stress hormones into the body. If this happens too often or for too long a period, these stress hormones start to interfere with the functioning of the body and brain, which can lead to physical and mental ill health.
A body and brain that are in harmony (not in fight or flight mode) reduce the likelihood of the triggering of autoimmune conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, or chronic pain, which are known to affect mental wellbeing.
Did you know? Poor nutrition or harmful chemicals can trigger fight or flight systems which pump stress hormones into your body.
Chemical balance
A healthy muscle-to-fat ratio supports the working of hormonal and organ systems, and produces the right balance of chemicals to keep your body and brain working in a sustainable way.
In your journey towards a healthy body weight, it is essential to include psychological strategies to support your healthy living and to break out of unhealthy loops involving your physical and mental health. Alongside nutritional advice and exercise support, make sure you are getting good advice about the thinking and behavioural components of your healthy living journey. So, what are you “weighting” for?
