Edwin M. Maanya

Combating Mental Health Challenges with Lifestyle Medicine: Expert Opinions Are you dealing with mental health issues and don't know what to do? Well, you are not alone. There is a huge number of individuals who have suffered from various mental health disorders. We are talking— anxiety, depression, stress among others. Although therapy and medical treatment have been quite effective there's another way to beat this issue: Lifestyle Medicine. This approach focuses on just making small changes in what you do on a daily basis. The focus here is what you eat, how well you rest and exercise. How can lifestyle medicine help address mental health? What are experts saying about it? Let's get some answers below. What Is Lifestyle Medicine? Lifestyle medicine can be defined as the practice of changing one's behavior to ensure that they do not get sick or treat a particular disease. This method is more focused on everyday life rather than just taking a medical approach to overcome our ailments. From nutrition to stress management, lifestyle medicine encompasses many elements that define our lives. Recent studies on mental health show that small daily changes can make a big impact. Simple actions like eating more fruits and veggies or taking short breaks can boost your mood and improve overall mental health. How Mental Health and Lifestyle Medicine Are Connected There is a clear correlation between mental health and lifestyle medicine. It means that it is possible to enhance such problems as anxiety and depression by making slight alterations to the daily routine. Here’s how: • Exercise: Physical activity helps as a way of improving your well-being. We are not saying you do intense workouts. A simple walk will suffice. It will leave you feeling relaxed and happy. • Healthy Eating: What comes to mind when you are told to take in goods that are so good to your body? I know you frequently crave some crispy chicken or even pizza. But these choices are not it. When we say healthy foods we are talking— fruits, veggies and whole grains. On your next good hunt, grab some salmon or tuna (rich in omega-3s) as they can help in boosting your mood. • Sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for your mental health. Without enough rest, you can feel stressed or anxious. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep every night to feel more balanced and calm. • Managing Stress: Stress is something we evade, but there are ways you can get by. When such episodes strike, try deep breathing exercises, meditation or even yoga. Doing this will help keep your mind calm and lower anxiety. • Staying Connected: Being around people you care about helps fight feelings of loneliness. Spending time with loved ones brings your laughter and profound joy that can't be bought. If you want great mental health, then don't deny yourself building effortless relationships. By focusing on these simple lifestyle changes, you can start improving your mental health naturally. Expert Opinions on Mental Health and Lifestyle Medicine Expert opinions on mental health and lifestyle medicine highlight the critical intersection between lifestyle factors and health outcomes. Here are some key insights from mental health speakers: Mental Health in Lifestyle Medicine Lifestyle medicine is the process of improving one’s health by changing the behavior of the patient in terms of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. It is evident from research that most of these changes affect one’s mental health in one way or the other. Adults have poor mental health, including anxiety and depression, in their lives, along with chronic illnesses. When a person changes their habits there is likely to be a positive impact on the mental health of the person as well as their quality of life. Lifestyle-Based Mental Health Care Experts recommend adding lifestyle changes to mental health treatments, especially for conditions like depression. What are some of these lifestyle changes? Here are a few: • Normalize eating healthy • Do some workouts from time to time. Or you can start a morning routine and stick to it • Engage in mindfulness practices Making these changes can help people feel better. It can also prevent mental health issues from getting worse. The Role of Nutrition and Exercise What you eat and how much you move play a significant role in your mental health. A balanced diet (fruits, veggies and healthy fats) has been shown to lower depression rates. That's not all. Engaging in regular exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression while improving your mood and brain function. If you make these small changes, you will notice a huge improvement in your mental health. Simple Lifestyle Changes for Mental Health Improvement Mental health challenges are not easy to deal with. One minute you are full of life and the next you are really struggling to keep it together. But experts seem to have a solution for you: Making small changes. Below are some top to give you a head start; • Get Moving: Tap into your fitness spirit within. You can start small and aim for 20-30 minutes a day. Start with something you know you can finish. It can be dancing, biking or even taking a walk. Moving your body helps release “feel-good” chemicals that can lift your mood and lower stress. • Practice Mindfulness: Are you always feeling on edge? Try meditating or being mindful for a few minutes daily. This can help you feel calmer and less stressed. How Lifestyle Medicine Empowers You Lifestyle medicine puts you in control of what you take in. It's not like prescriptions where you have to adhere to the instructions given to you by the specialist. In lifestyle medicine, you have a choice to make. What do we mean? You can decide to switch up your routine one by one. Maybe you can start with exercises and then move to eating healthy foods. Many experts believe that you have better chances of improving your mental health when you practice lifestyle medicine. This approach is quite effective as it focuses on the root causes of mental illness. It’s a more complete way to care for your mind and body instead of just targeting one part. Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health Combating mental health challenges with lifestyle medicine is an effective and empowering approach. Expert opinions on mental health show that making these changes can boost how you feel. Lifestyle medicine is meant to be used alongside professional help (like therapy or medication). But there are certain cases that just need you to switch to healthier options. How do you go about this? Start small and be kind to yourself as you make these changes. With time and consistency, you’ll likely see mental health improvement and overall well-being.