Written by: Marina Gross, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Our health is our greatest wealth. In fact, both our mental and physical health are non-negotiable requisites for setting the stage for a life of personal energy, vitality, joy, and fulfillment, as well as professional performance and drive. The journey towards success, both personally and professionally, is built on a foundation of a harmonious synergy of a strong body, resilient mind, and nourished soul, nurtured and taken care of through daily practices that we will explore together in this article.
Prioritizing mindfulness and calm for success
In our fast-paced, modern world, chronically high-stress levels have become our greatest challenge on our journey toward a happy, thriving, and fulfilling life. In fact, statistics show that on average 1 in 3 people worldwide, across age and gender, experience high daily stress levels and struggle with their mental and physical health as a result. And according to the World Health Organisation, stress has become “the 21st century’s health epidemics”, emphasizing the urgency and importance of having everyday tools and practices to proactively manage and cope with everyday stress to build a foundation for an energized, joyful, and purposeful lifestyle.
Research shows that cultivating small daily habits that promote a sense of calm, such as deep breathing, meditation and spending time in nature can significantly lower your stress levels, help your body and mind heal and restore, as well as help you face life's challenges with calm and clarity.
Taming the monkey mind
The way we see the world around us is created in our minds. In fact, our mindset is the lens that we look at our life, ourselves, and our surroundings through. And the question is: do you have a “fixed” or a “growth” mindset?
To investigate this further, bring awareness to your immediate thought and reaction patterns. How do you face life’s challenges: with curiosity and open mind or fear and despair? Are you mostly threatened or inspired and motivated by other’s achievements and progress? How do you talk to yourself, when something you have been working on fails or does not go as planned? Do you see past missteps as painful regrets or opportunities to learn and evolve?
It is all a matter of perspective. However, adopting a “growth” mindset might be the most beneficial for personal and professional development and performance, as well as a joyful, abundant, and positive mind.
And the good news is: each of us has a choice to make about which perspective we would like to adopt in our lives. Because your mindset is yours, and it is not set in stone. With awareness and practice of tools like gratitude and positive affirmations, you can reframe and continue to rewire your mindset throughout your life to achieve more freedom, energy, happiness, and growth. It all starts within.
Making the body work for you and not against you
As the holistic health and wellness pioneer, Joshua Rosenthal, states: “The body can heal itself by itself given only half a chance”. Our job is to give our body that half a chance by preventatively taking good care of our primary home that we spend our entire life in through healthy nutrition, restful sleep and mindful movement, and here is why.
The mind-body connection is profound. Prioritizing daily physical activity, whether that is a few minutes of morning stretches or simply walking more throughout the day, not only keeps our bodies healthy and strong but also acts as a catalyst for a healthy and strong mind. Did you know that recent studies done by the Harvard Medical School have concluded that even just 150 minutes of exercise per week can offset high stress levels, elevate mood, and improve our overall well-being?
Additionally, food is one of the most important tools for optimal health and well-being – both when it comes to our mental and physical health. The saying "you are what you eat" is not only true for the body, but also for the mind. A natural diet rich in antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals derived from whole, unprocessed, fresh, and nutritious foods provides fuel and creates the foundation for a healthy body and a thriving mind.
Lastly, in his book “Why We Sleep” Matthew Walker, one of the leading sleep experts and researchers in the world, stated the following: “Scientists have discovered a revolutionary new treatment that makes you live longer. It enhances your memory and makes you more creative. It makes you look more attractive. It keeps you slim and lowers food cravings. It protects you from cancer and dementia. It wards off colds and the flu. It lowers your risk of heart attacks and stroke, not to mention diabetes. You will even feel happier, less depressed, and less anxious. Are you interested?” And he could not have said it any better. Good quality sleep is one of the most essential practices and life hacks for better mental and physical health and well-being. There is simply not one cell in our entire body and mind that does not benefit from good quality sleep.
By employing the habits of nourishing our body from within, we can not only achieve greater physical well-being, but also leverage the power of increased mental resilience and better conditions for personal vitality and professional performance.
The bottom line
Our mental and physical health is the foundation upon which a life of joy, energy, vitality, abundance, and success is built. Because if we do not have our health, we cannot live and experience this life to the fullest. And while we have been overcomplicating health and wellness for years, it does not have to be rocket science. We just have to give our body and mind half a chance to heal, restore, and catalyze us towards a life of abundance.
For more inspiration, please follow Inspired Change Co on Instagram, explore the growing collection of articles on Inspired Change Co website and subscribe to The Little Right Actions Podcast, to help you proactively take good care of your health, or sign up for the monthly newsletter with holistic advice on all things mental health and well-being delivered straight to your inbox.
Marina Gross, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Marina Gross is a Holistic Health Coach and mental health advocate, who specializes in stress management and holistic well-being. In a world, where mental health is continuously declining and many experience stress, anxiety and burnout, it is Marina's passion and mission to make mindful health accessible and attainable for all. She is the founder of Inspired Change Co, the online holistic wellness and health coaching platform, and her work is purposed to inspire, educate and empower readers and clients to make their health a daily priority and cultivate a nourishing life that feels good inside and out.
