Engy Elghannam 
Various studies have been conducted to determine the effects of a healthy mental condition on one’s physical well-being. These clinical studies looked into using placebos, meditation, hypnosis and providing warm, genuine affections to subjects and the effects on their illnesses. The results show that patients with a positive state of mind and a happy disposition experience different levels of improvement in their condition.
Taking these findings into account, it is important to have your mind and body work in unison to feel healthy inside and out. Although this may seem like a difficult thing to do, specialists from the leading hospitals in Dubai say that simply developing the right habits can help you achieve a healthier mental and physical state.
- Improving Your Mind-Body Wellness
If you want to strengthen your mental and physical condition, start by developing these health habits:
1. Be physically active
Studies show that people with a sedentary lifestyle are more at risk of developing various health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other forms of cardiovascular diseases.
The opposite happens when you work out regularly. When you exercise at least 30 minutes a day, you burn unhealthy and unwanted calories, tone your muscles, strengthen your bones, and improve your digestive, cardiovascular and immune systems.
If you regularly engage in healthy physical activities, your mind experiences various positive effects as well, such as anxiety and stress alleviation, better memory and focus and improved sleep.
Being physically active doesn’t mean committing to a strict workout program. You can start by engaging in activities you enjoy, such as running, hiking, swimming and cycling.
The bottom line is you can enhance your mental and physical state by moving more and being less lazy.
2. Get plenty of quality sleep daily
Getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep nightly offers several mental and physical-related health benefits.
Research shows that lack of sleep has been associated with unhealthy weight gain, increased inflammation, higher risk of heart disease, stroke and depression.
On the other hand, getting at least seven hours of quality sleep daily helps improve your immune function, physical performance and energy levels. It also boosts your memory, problem-solving skills, mental alertness and focus.
Getting enough sleep will help you improve and maintain a healthy mind and body, which will be noticeable in your performance and quality of work.
3. Have a healthy, balanced diet
Different types of food offer several health benefits to one’s mind and body. Leading the pack are dark green vegetables.
Asparagus, broccoli, kale, spinach, and Brussels sprouts are just some of the healthiest vegetables you should be eating more of. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, such as antioxidants and fibre, that will enhance and refresh your mental and physical state whenever you consume them.
Also, consume more fresh fruits, whole grains, healthy meats, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products to ensure you have a balanced diet.
4. Find time to relax and de-stress every day
Take regular breaks and relax to give your body and mind the opportunity to unwind, reduce physical and mental tension, and enable your neural pathways to recuperate.
The latest health discoveries show that there are numerous ways to achieve a state of stress-free calmness, which range from simple to complex techniques.
These include deep breathing, listening to soothing music, taking long, warm baths, stretching, yoga, Pilates, and meditation.
Treat yourself to something relaxing and restful each week or month, such as enjoying a spa or beach day.
It is important that you choose an activity or technique that you can fit into your schedule and follow to avoid the unhealthy effects of stress.
5. Be happier
When you don’t manage stress properly, you will have a less positive view of life.
Prolonged stress can lead to different types of illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, and stroke.
Chronic anger and anxiety can upset your cardiac function since it alters the heart’s electrical stability, hastening atherosclerosis and eventually increasing systemic inflammation.
To avoid the negative effects of stress and anger, you need to be happier. Adopting a more positive disposition can help strengthen your immune system, reduce pain and chronic diseases, and lower the risk of heart conditions.
In terms of your mental health, happiness can stimulate the growth of nerve connections, boost cognitive productivity, and increase attentiveness.
As an added bonus, studies show that laughing at least 15 minutes daily helps you burn 10 to 40 calories, which varies based on your weight and the intensity of your laughter.
A simple smile engages the same muscles as the ones involved in laughter, although fewer and lasts only a few seconds. As such, whenever you flash your pearly whites, you still burn at least a small fraction of a calorie.
Although the calorie loss isn’t too significant, every little bit counts if you want to maintain a healthy weight.
When you take the right steps to improve your physical health, you also enhance your brain function. As such, build these habits so you can start having a healthier mind and body.
