How Diet & Exercise Can Help Prevent Mental Health Issues and More
While struggling with mental health issues or trying to avoid substance abuse, your emotions are like a roller coaster and they can vary from time to time. This rhythm, when not well handled, can make your situation worse. For people with drug or alcohol addictions, there is a high likelihood of developing mental health issues too. You can control this by managing what you eat and how you work out. Below are ways on how to use your diet and exercise to prevent substance abuse or mental health issues:
1) Controlling Hormones
Proper nutrition contributes to how your body functions and help you avoid mental health issues altogether. Substance abuse and alcoholism can very quickly lead to poor nutrition. People who are struggling tend to eat less food which leaves them underweight and malnourished in most cases. Those that consume more prefer a specific type of dish so they aren’t eating a
While struggling with mental issues or substance abuse, your body does not function normally. It is highly dependent on the substance in question, which obviously causes more harm than good. The substances consumed can inhibit food absorption and weaken your immune system.
Some damage the digestive tract, which affects what you consume. Deficiency in some nutrients leads to an imbalance in hormones which can lead to mental health issues. This leaves you anxious, irritable, and depressed. Good diet and exercise can help overcome this.
A balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients required for your body to function normally. It also helps in the release of proper levels of certain hormones. Exercising helps reduce tension from the body. It also helps relax muscles and boost mental energy. It also improves the release of endorphins that help improve your moods greatly. If you are within Florida, there are specialists you can consult in Jacksonville to get more information on this form of treatment option.
2) Boosts Self Esteem
People suffering from substance abuse and mental disorders tend to have low esteem. This is due to the continuous consumption of substances or skipping meals. Eating the right diet and exercising regularly can help boost your immune. This, in turn, helps in the general body appearance. With this, you gain more confidence and improve the sense of self-worth.
While exercising with others, it also helps in interaction. Continuous morale boost lifts your esteem even further. This helps reduce stress, depression, and anxiety, which creep up when you are around people. In the end, you end up happy and in good spirits without the fear of facing any disorder or having the temptation to seek refuge in substances. Exercising also helps push your limits and gain resilience. This can also be used in real-life situations when fighting these disorders.
3) Safe Living
Mental disorders and substance abuse can lead to suicidal thoughts. This affects you and those left behind mourning. You can use diet and exercise to control such thoughts and keep them at bay. Varying the intakes of certain foods, vitamins and supplements can actually help control the emotions and moods you are bound to experience. People with mental health issues are almost always deficient in vitamin D!
On the other hand, exercising helps relieve the tension and keeps you occupied for longer which can help you avoid mental health issues. It also helps improve concentration and alertness leaving you aware of your actions. Certain foods can also be used to induce sleep and relax muscles reducing idle time where your mind might stray.