Commit to a healthier body and mind in 2020 – Health and Wellness Nashville

A woman sitting cross legged

Like most people, I usually set goals to live a healthier lifestyle in the new year. When we consider improving our health, dieting and increased exercise are typically the first two things that come to mind. That’s what we’re taught to do if we want to shed those extra pounds, right? Recently, though, I started to wonder why mental health rarely factors into our new year’s resolutions.

As a yoga instructor, I stress the importance of the connection between mind and body each and every day, as yoga looks at the two as one and the same. When we reach a quiet mind, we can reduce our heart rate, blood pressure and level of stress hormones.

The CDC states “mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. Mental illness…increases the risk of many types of physical health problems.” Mental and physical health are deeply intertwined; if you don’t care for one, the other will suffer.

For example, stress can affect you physically and mentally. Moving to a new home or taking on more responsibilities at work can actually cause your blood pressure to spike or even result in a stomach ulcer. You may also be stressed or anxious to the point where it hinders your ability to sleep or concentrate on your work.

Emotionally healthy people are very self-aware and have found ways to cope with the everyday stresses of life. Practices such as yoga, golf and tennis are designed to train your brain and utilize both your mind and body and over time you can learn how to focus and better deal with life’s challenges.

The practice of yoga brings together the body and mind, creating a meditative and peaceful environment. Physically, yoga increases flexibility, muscle strength and tone and improves posture and balance. Yoga’s incorporation of meditation and breathing exercises creates mental clarity and calmness, relieving the body of its anxieties and stress.

While practicing yoga is one of the best ways to achieve this resolution, merely taking a moment to listen to what your body needs and reflecting on how you are feeling can bring you one step close to overall better health.

This year, I am encouraging others to join me in placing as much of an emphasis on mental health as they do on physical health and to remember that mental health plays a key role in the success of our fitness goals.

Cindy is the former owner of four yoga studios in upstate New York. She is a certified Bikram, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga and Level II/III Barkan Vinyasa teacher. She also completed Ana Forrest’s Advanced Yoga training as well as Baptiste’s Art of Assisting and Advanced Art of Assisting trainings. Cindy has completed her 500 hours with both Jimmy Barkan and Rolf Gates. For five years, Cindy assisted Jimmy Barkan at his level II/III Vinyasa teacher trainings. She currently leads 200-hour yoga alliance certified vinyasa teacher trainings and Hot 26 teacher trainings. She now owns Yogasoul in Nashville, Tennessee.