When many people think of a healthy lifestyle they immediately think diet and exercise and completely ignore mental health. However, mental health is one of the most important factors in creating a healthy lifestyle.
“Focusing on how to be mentally healthy and happy is important in any aspect of life,” said Dr. Gregory Dikos, a trauma surgeon at OrthoIndy. “Many of my patients recovering from traumatic injuries experience significant pain and have to endure a lot of rehabilitation before they get better. My patients who practice positive thinking usually feel better sooner.”
How do you maintain good mental health?
The ability to manage your feelings and deal with everyday stresses and difficulties can be challenging. Maintaining good mental health means occasionally putting your own needs first. We can’t take care of others if we don’t take care of our own mind and body.
If you are looking for a healthier lifestyle, start with your mental health and make sure you are finding time to relax and do things you enjoy, rewarding yourself for accomplishments and spending time with good people who value you.
Seeking professional support and treatment is one way to improve your mental health. There are additional ways you can improve your mental health naturally.
What is positive self-talk?
How you think about yourself can have a huge impact on how you feel mentally and physically. Negative thoughts can do a lot of harm to your self-confidence and impact those around you as well. Try to practice positive thinking instead of negative reinforcement.
Despite what the evil little voice has to say about your appearance, it’s time to replace it with a voice that is loving, reassuring, stronger and most importantly POSITIVE! Finding value in yourself is the key to a happier and healthier you.
What is a positive body image?
One way to practice positive self-talk and make a healthy mental change is to be kind to your body. A positive body image is an acceptance of your body, both the good and maybe the parts you sometimes feel like you want to change. Not only does body positivity inspire confidence, but it also makes you comfortable in your own skin.
“Despite what the media makes you think, there is not a ‘perfect’ body,” said Dr. Meredith Langhorst, non-operative spine physician at OrthoIndy. “Likewise there is no such thing as an imperfect body.”
6 quick steps to a positive body image
- Appreciate everything your body has allowed you to do already in your life
- Learn to replace the voices in your head that tell you what you aren’t, with voices that tell you what you are or can be
- Think about things you have that you are grateful for
- Be more aware and critical of the negative messages in the media or from negative relationships
- Keep a list of things you like about yourself close by, when you feel overwhelmed with negative thoughts about yourself, read it
- Do something that makes you feel good about yourself
