Path to a Better You: Mind & Body

The average American diet exceeds the daily recommended intake of sugar, refined grains, sodium and saturated fats. [1]

Lack of physical activity accounts for 22 percent of coronary heart disease, 22 percent of colon cancer, 18 percent of osteoporotic fractures, 12 percent of diabetes and hypertension, and 5 percent of breast cancer. [2]

Stress is the basic cause of 60% of all human illness and disease. [3]

When I hear commercials about FDA-approved medication to treat certain diseases, such as fibromyalgia, followed by the long list of side effects when taken, they are typically worse than the actual disease. May cause nausea, insomnia, or suicidal tendencies. Why would anyone take medication that may cause worse ailments than the actual condition?

I begin to wonder how these diseases even came about, some of which sound made-up, like Restless Leg Syndrome or Chronic Dry Eyes. But if you think about today’s society, you can easily draw conclusions on how these conditions came to be. Let’s take a closer look at Restless Leg Syndrome.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a disorder of the nervous system. People with restless leg syndrome have uncomfortable sensations in their legs and an irresistible urge to move their legs to relieve the sensations. Does this condition come to be because we are a more sedentary society, habitually sitting in front of a computer at work or at home in front of the television, computer or video game console? Ironically, the treatments for RLS, according to WebMD, include beginning a regular exercise program, establishing regular sleep patterns and eliminating caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.

Ever since I was in high school, I had an innate understanding that the condition of my mind and body affected my overall health and mental stability. I began working out regularly during my junior year in high school when I could no longer eat whatever I wanted and maintain a healthy weight. I quickly realized that working out made me feel energized and helped me to focus better in school.

When I entered college at the University of Kansas, I heard rumors about the dreaded Freshmen fifteen, but I managed to not become a casualty. Instead, I gained about 12 pounds at the end of my Sophomore year mostly due to partying way too much, eating junk food late at night and not working out regularly. I remember feeling lethargic, unhealthy and moody.

I recall seeing a picture of myself on Spring Break and realized that I needed a change. I took a part-time job at a gym checking members in and out and could work out for free as a perk. After about 6 months, I remember getting my body fat measured and it was 17% which is impressive for a girl, since the average body fat percentage for females is about 28%.

Fast forward almost 20 years, and I still strive to never feel the way I felt at the end of my Sophomore year in college. Now that I am older, I understand the physical and mental fortitude and self-awareness, as well as the tools needed to maintain a healthy balance. I refer to it as “life’s trifecta”. Life’s trifecta entails a healthy diet, regular physical activity and mindful rest. Mindful rest can come in the form of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep (at least 8 hours a night) or some level of meditation or prayer where the mind is completely devoid of thought. Practicing yoga is a good way to beget mindful rest.

I am a firm believer that most diseases and ailments, including high blood pressure and diabetes, can be avoided by living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. This semester I will focus my writing on offering advice, tools and resources to be successful in leading a healthy lifestyle. The content will range from cooking tips and healthy recipes, exercise regimens and natural remedies to make you a better you.

Sources

1 Elkaim, Y. (2015). 21 Healthy Eating Facts and Statistics You Probably Didn’t Know About [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://yurielkaim.com/healthy-eating-facts-and-statistics/

2 Florida Atlantic University. "Sobering Statistics on Physical Inactivity in the U.S.." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 August 2015. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150826093015.htm

3 HeartMath LLC. (2013, March 11). How Stress Affects the Body [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/heartmath-llc/how-stress-affects-the-body_b_2422522.html