Training the Mind and Body for Better Health in 2021

We tend to focus on training the body with exercise which is typically motivated by making improvements in body fat, blood pressure, and strength. I do not wish to lessen the importance of training our bodies on our physical health. However, an overemphasis on training the body for physical health alone can be dangerous when one neglects the other aspects of health such as training our minds. Let me use an example from my life. I started weight training and aerobic training in the 7th grade to help battle several illnesses I had suffered during my elementary school years. Guillen Barre syndrome was one illness that attacked my nervous system leaving me paralyzed for several months. I was very focused on building up strength and muscle mass to improve my physical health. Mental health was something I never considered important. Over the next 15-20 years, I experienced many injuries. Some injuries were due to a congenital spine and hip condition that would have happened regardless of my activity level. Several other injuries were the result of overuse. As my injuries accumulated it lessened my ability to perform exercise and activities of daily living. This eventually led me into a deep depression and deeper into addictive behaviors to try and cope with my inability to exercise due to the pain. I became less active, ate and drank too much, and put on weight. This experience taught me two valuable lessons.

The first lesson I learned was how mental health (i.e. motivations for health) influences physical health. I found the most significant way my depression and compulsive thoughts were influencing my physical health was the impact it had on my brain. My depressive and compulsive thoughts triggered compulsive behaviors that changed the wiring in my brain. One area of the brain most affected by the compulsive behaviors is the frontal lobe that controls motor control and decision making. This helped me understand the connection between my mental health and physical health and why I continued to exercise or overeat and ignored the consequences of the pain or weight gain.

The second lesson I learned was the importance of changing my motivation to performing exercise. My original mental approach to exercise was to train to the maximum all the time and to never show you were in pain. In my mind I thought not fighting through pain was a sign of weakness. I found my motivation for doing exercise was driven by my belief that I wasn't good enough and not loveable, and I falsely believed the only way I could be good enough and be loved was to be extremely fit. I did reach a very high level of fitness, but it cost me greatly. The greatest cost was not the physical pain, but it was the relationships I lost or didn't develop because I was stuck in myself becoming very isolated from being there for others. The mental approach I take today was found by finding a better motivation for exercise. My motivation for exercise today is to feel happy and good about myself and join with others in their pursuit of good health and happiness. Like walking with my Dad who has battled many life threatening health problems, but fought back to be able to walk 3 miles.

I now exercise for the right reasons and motivations. This helps me make good decisions about the type of exercise that is good for me. My brain thanks me everyday. I am thankful to all those people that have been there for me to guide me and direct me. My hope is that I have the opportunity to guide others towards better mental and physical health in 2021 and beyond!