How Healthy is My Brain? It depends on How Healthy your Body Is
With all of the research and literature being created daily about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, it might seem that it is a relatively new discovery. While it is true that through the centuries people have made (and continue to make) some pretty unhealthy lifestyle choices, the fact remains that the quest for health has been around, well, as long as humans have been.
And the understanding of the connection between physical health and mental health is also not new.
Siddhartha Gautama lived in Nepal during the 6th to 4th century B.C. (There is still debate on the details of his life.) He is better known as a spiritual teacher from ancient India – Buddha. Interestingly, while Buddha was a spiritual teacher, many of his teachings focus on health. But he is not alone in recognizing that living a healthy lifestyle is imperative for mental and emotional health, too.
Consider these quotes that span centuries:
- “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” Buddha, 563 BC to 483 BC
- “Health and intellect are the two blessings of life.” Menander, 342 – 291 BC
- “You pray for good health and a body that will be strong in old age. Good — but your rich foods block the gods’ answer and tie Jupiter’s hands.” Persius, 34 AD – 62 AD
- “Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.” Edward Smith-Stanley, 1752-1834
- “A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.” Paul Dudley White, 1886 – 1973
- “Never forget that the body is the temple of the soul.” Dr. Oz, 1960 – present
Adopting a healthy lifestyle means striving for a healthy body and a healthy mind. It’s not a new philosophy. But it is a philosophy that many people have been slow to embrace. If you want to be healthy mentally, then you must also strive to be healthy physically.
