Women’s Self-Help: Physical Health For Mental Health

Women’s Self-Help: My Physical Health Improved My Mental Health

Women’s self-help is our focus this year because we all need some support and self-help and we are experts on the subject because we’ve been through it ourselves! Living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of yourself is an evolving process throughout your life. As you age, what your body needs changes. As life becomes more or less stressful, you may need more or less support.

For me, I had a little health scare this past year and it was quite the wake-up call. While I live a pretty healthy lifestyle, improvements can always be made. And, if we’re being completely honest, my diet needed some adjustments. I love sugar and processed food but it was not doing me any favors in my 40s, so, I finally made some nutritional changes. I radically lessened my sugar, dairy, gluten, and processed foods and wow what a difference it made. It was almost immediate that I began to notice a profound improvement in my body, how I felt, and my mental well-being. Here’s how taking care of my body transformed my mind.

The Wake-Up Call

Like many people, I used to view diets as a chore I could skip because I took care of myself in other ways. However, a few bad tests revealed extreme inflammation in a few parts of my body. My doctor’s advice was clear: prioritize nutrition, healthy living, and rest. Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, I decided to give it a shot.

Small Changes with Big Results

Women’s Self-Help: Exercise as a Mood Booster

I’m pretty good with exercise but consistency is where I struggle. It’s no question that exercise improves my mood and my physical health, especially as someone with degenerative disc disease who regularly feels tight and uncomfortable. A few small changes helped create a daily change. For one, I committed to getting the dog 10,000 steps so I’m walking a couple of miles every day. Second, I downloaded an app and do home work-outs. Sometimes they are only 20 minutes but they still help! It’s the daily commitment to movement.
Women’s Self-Help: The Power of Proper Nutrition

As I mentioned above, my diet was another area that needed attention. I replaced processed snacks with whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Lots of popcorn and dried fruits too. I noticed that eating balanced meals improved my energy levels, and the brain fog that I didn’t realize I had lifted. Moreover, cutting back on sugar and caffeine reduced the frequency of mood swings, leaving me feeling more emotionally steady. The best part for me was my skin also cleared up. It’s so clear that eating healthy immediately leads to a healthier life.
Women’s Self-Help: Prioritizing Rest and Recovery

I love sleep. It’s my favorite thing. Once I was well established in recovery, my sleep regulated. I aim for seven to eight hours of quality rest each night and if you can get it, it’s great. I also incorporated mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing to help me wind down if I’m stressed or up in the night.

Women’s Self-Help: The Mind-Body Connection

I always knew that physical health and mental health are deeply interconnected but making these changes myself drove home how crucial it is for all women. Regular exercise not only improved my mood but also enhanced my self-confidence and gave me a sense of accomplishment. Eating nutritious meals helped me think more clearly and made me feel more in control of my choices. Adequate rest allowed me to approach challenges with a calm and focused mindset, rather than succumbing to frustration or overwhelm.

Unexpected Benefits

Beyond the obvious improvements in mood and energy, prioritizing my physical health had some unexpected benefits:

Women’s Self-Help: Weight Loss, Skin Improvement and Less Pain – Eating healthy led to immediate weight loss, skin improvements and less back pain.
Women’s Self-Help: Improved Relationships – Feeling better mentally and physically made me more patient, empathetic, and present in my interactions with others.
Women’s Self-Help: Better Stress Management – When work deadlines or personal challenges arose, I found I could cope more effectively, thanks to the mental resilience I had built.
Women’s Self-Help: Enhanced Creativity – As a writer, being clearer, more focused, and happier made it easier to write and feel inspired.

A Lifelong Commitment

Improving my physical health was not a one-time fix but a lifelong commitment. I’ve learned that consistency, not perfection, is key. There are days when I skip a workout or indulge in comfort food, but I’ve stopped beating myself up over it. Instead, I focus on getting back on track and celebrating the progress I’ve made.

Final Thoughts

Prioritizing my physical health turned out to be the most effective way to enhance my mental well-being. It wasn’t always easy, but the benefits far outweighed the effort. If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or low energy, I encourage you to take small steps toward improving your physical health. Whether it’s a daily walk, a healthier meal choice, or going to bed earlier, these changes can make a world of difference. After all, a healthy body truly does nurture a healthy mind.