By Alison Whitehouse, Resident in Counseling
Research continues to support the connection between physical health and mental health. When we are sick with a cold, we often feel depressed or fatigued. When we are stressed or anxious, our body tenses up, or we may have digestive problems. Our mind and body are a connected entity, influencing each other as we go about our daily lives.
If we treat our body well, our mind will be happy too! Consider implementing a healthy diet by reducing caffeine to alleviate feelings of anxiety or stress. How about reducing heavy foods that make us lethargic and put us down?
In addition to a healthy diet, exercise is also key! When we are feeling depressed, activating our body with cardio or strength training will release positive chemicals in our brain to give us more energy and enhance our self-esteem. Exercise like cardio or yoga can also release tension and alleviate anxiety that builds up in our bodies.
With a mindful, active, and healthy lifestyle, we are able to ground our bodies and our minds.
This summer, let’s be intentional about taking care of both! Let us know how it’s going and if we can help!
Alison is a resident in counseling providing counseling services at both the Woodbridge and Alexandria locations. Alison is a National Certified Counselor, and a recent graduate from William & Mary with a M.Ed. in Marriage & Family Counseling, following a B.S. in Psychology from William & Mary. Alison has completed rigorous internships working with individuals, couples, and families. Her goal in therapy is build trust and rapport so that her clients feel safe, comfortable, and heard throughout the therapeutic process. To learn more about Alison, visit HERE.