The Body Follows the Mind: 4 Reasons Why Maintaining Your Physical and Mental Health Will Lead to Success
From the construction of the pyramids to our first steps on the moon, human beings have spent centuries redefining what is possible. And if there is one thing great men and women have in common, it’s their ability to commit in mind, body, and spirit to achieving their goals. Sure, the notion of “success” may seem completely cerebral. However, the truth of the matter remains that we depend on the physical just as much as we do the mental. After all, the most state-of-the-art computer can’t run if it’s battery is dead. (And this goes for our personal lives just as much as our professional ones.)
To better understand how the body follows the mind when it comes to success, I’ve created the list below. Check it out and perhaps, consider how you can optimize your physical health to accomplish future goals.
The physical effects of stress will inevitably slow you down.
In an article published by CNN, Richard Boyatzis, a psychology and cognitive science professor at Case Western Reserve University, pointed out that stress can cause anyone to become cognitively, perceptually, and emotionally impaired. Similarly, experts from a range of organizations including the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), and the Cleveland Clinic all agree that stress not only puts undue strain on our bodies but can also manifest in a range of symptoms including anxiety and depression, gastrointestinal issues (acid reflux, upset stomach), headaches, dizziness, sleep problems, and muscle tensions.
So, while the “all work, no play” mentality adopted here in the United States may have taught young professionals to meet their deadlines, it has also created a dangerous phenomenon of burnout and depletion. Sustainable success that extends beyond a few years requires an attention to one’s sleep, eating habits, and overall health. Otherwise, stress will inevitably catch up with you, and in many cases, leave lasting effects. Whether we like it or not, we need our bodies, and ultimately, we cannot achieve our goals without them.
Science says positivity is on your side.
That’s right. While experts are just starting to investigate the connection between positive thinking and our physical health, the initial findings are incredibly promising. In fact, according to Lisa R. Yanek, M.P.H. of Johns Hopkins, people with a family history of heart disease who also had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within five to 25 years than those with a more negative outlook.
In an article written by Johns Hopkins Medicine the authors went on to say that while understanding the connection between health and positivity is still a gray area, researchers “suspect that people who are more positive may be better protected against the inflammatory damage of stress. Another possibility is that hope and positivity help people make better health and life decisions and focus more on long-term goals.”
At first glance you may not think a potential heart attack directly correlates to success. However, what this conversation really boils down to is persistence. To be here and to be healthy is a gift not all of us are granted, and as we age, staying healthy requires work. If you have the ability to dedicate yourself to showing up as the best version of who you are, then your work will inevitably reflect that level of commitment. So whether we’re talking about personal or professional success, the facts remain the same. You have to care about the entire picture: how you act, how you feel, and how you perform. Otherwise, you’re missing out on an opportunity to truly thrive.
When you feel better, you do better.
Have you ever tried to have a productive day after pulling an all-nighter at work or going out for drinks with friends? Chances are, you were less than your best the next day. And rightfully so. When you’re sleep deprived and cranky, it’s hard for anyone to keep their metaphorical head in the game. Which brings me to my next point: when you feel better, you do better. Sure the body follows the mind. However, if the mind isn’t treating the body well, then you cannot expect yourself to perform. Just as the experts at Johns Hopkins found that positive thinking informs our health, smart choices give us the power to thrive day to day.
Finding the time to get better sleep, eat well, and participate in activities that bring us joy are all conscious choices. When we mentally commit to the things that help us to feel our best, we physically reap the rewards of that decision. And I think we can all agree, showing up for work after a great night’s sleep is far more productive than after pulling that all nighter.
Ultimately, You’ve got to believe it to achieve it.
As I’ve already intimated throughout the article, our minds are a powerful thing. However, as human beings we can only withstand so much. So to truly find lasting success, we’ve got to be willing to work for it and believe in it in more ways than one.
It’s easy to think that going full throttle toward your goals is the best way to get ahead. And if we’re talking short term, sometimes it is. However, the truth is that when you compromise on your health, you’re jeopardizing the reliability of your most powerful tool: you. Believing that you’re worthy of achieving your goals means that you value who you are and what you bring to the table. When you set your mind in that direction, your body and spirit will not only thank you, but also be able to endure the test of time.
So if you leave here with just one nugget of advice, let it be this: If you want your successes to look like the resume of a one hit wonder, then keep on keepin’ on. But if you want to create a lifetime of growth and achievement (either personally or professionally) then you must remember that the body follows the mind and treat them both accordingly.