The COVID pandemic exposed societal issues across the globe. Prior to the universal lockdown, many of us went about our day to day lives with little regard for our own personal health, and the health of others. Even during the pandemic, anti-maskers refused to wear a piece of cloth across their face for the sake of others. Americans’ concern for mental health is at an all-time high, with issues of depression and anxiety on the rise. As for physical health, a study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences in 2013 shows that Americans struggle from this perspective as well. “Americans lose more years of life to alcohol and other drugs than people in peer countries.” Additionally, “the United States has had the highest obesity rate among high-income countries.” Although we are considered one of the wealthiest nations in the World economically, we fall FAR behind from a health perspective.
Mental Health is Wealth
Your mind is your biggest asset. Take it from someone who suffered from multiple concussions in his lifetime…the brain is an important and essential part of who you are as a human. As I mention in my Meditation blog, “The human brain is a tool and should be treated as such. Care for it. Use it properly. Monitor it.” How do you expect to think straight and make the right decisions, if your mental state is out of balance?
Focus on your mental health. Do what you need to do to make it right. Use all of your vacation days. Walk away from that toxic relationship. Interact with your loved ones. Ask for help. Seeking mental betterment is not weak. In fact, it is the opposite. There is strength in identifying one’s shortcomings and asking for the support of others when necessary. There is strength in walking away from a toxic circumstance, for the betterment of your mental health. Shoutout to Simone Biles for bravely walking away from Olympic competition in the interest of improving her mental wellbeing. Strength is not holding the weight of your problems on your shoulders and struggling to maintain composure. Strength is maintaining composure and knowing when to say, “I’ve had enough”.
Meditation, Mindfulness, Mother Nature, Music and more help to balance my mind. What activities help to calm yours? Feel free to comment your methods in the section below!
Physical Health is Wealth
When I was young, my physical wellbeing was terrible. I suffered from severe Asthma. I was very much overweight, borderline obese. I experienced illness after illness every year. I endured multiple concussions, one of which almost cost me my Life. In later years, I partied a bit too much and consumed more intoxicants than a body should endure. I also pushed myself in the gym with total disregard for muscle health and subsequently endured multiple injuries. In all of those years of unhealthy living, much of it may be attributed to living a Life out of balance.
Focus on your physical health. You only have one body. Listen to it. In our aches, in our pains, our creaks and our grumbles, our bodies are speaking to us. In choosing to ignore our body’s messages, we are subconsciously choosing to remain unhealthy. In her article on SaveInstitute, Vivian Goldschmidt provides a simple message: “slow down”.
“If you take a moment to focus on your body, you may be surprised by what you discover. You may find that you feel thirsty and hadn’t even realized it.” - Vivian Goldschmidt
We as humans get so caught up in our daily lives that we tend to ignore our body’s messages. If we were to take Vivian’s advice, slow down and analyze how our bodies feel, we may discover the root of the problem. Then, we will be able to address the problem at hand and possibly fix it on our own, before it becomes severe.
Message from a Young Entrepreneur: Life is About Balance
When we experience issues with mental and/or physical health, it is an indicator that we are living a Life that is out of balance. A glutinous appetite for food and/or alcoholic beverages will lead to stomach aches, body pains and exhaustion. That is not balance. Overconsumption of material possessions will lead to future discontent and a long term desire for more. That is not balance. Overthinking, overanalyzing and overworking will lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. That is not balance.
Balance takes self-control. It takes slowing down and listening to what the body and mind are telling us. Your stomach is full? Put the fork down. You feel intoxicated? Put the drink down. You have enough clothes? Put the credit card down. Thinking too much? Put your thoughts down. Stop thinking. As I say in my blog on Life and Death, in order to live a more fulfilled and healthy Life, we must “live a life of balance, not excess.”
Are you interested in living a healthy Life as it pertains to the workplace? Check out my Health is Wealth video on Youtube to hear my suggestions!
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