Increasing Personal Energy and Wellness, Research Paper Example

Many people living in the modern world have reported living in a state of poor mental and physical health, which appears to be the consequence of changing lifestyle preferences. Mental illness is at an all-time high and is generally associated with societal problems that impair the ability of individuals to live the lives that they desire. While this is certainly one explanation for the increased incidence of depression and anxiety, these opinions fail to account for a variety of biological and health factors that have been shown to be related to mental health. Researchers have shown that mental health is closely related to physical health and that it is necessary to stay active, consume a proper nutrition, and sleep properly in order to ensure that all aspects of health are achieved. Therefore, to enhance personal wellness, it is important to ensure that individuals are able to lead a healthy life.

One of the major societal problems that is closely affiliated with an unhealthy lifestyle is the tendency for the average American to work long hours in order to make ends meet. Even among those who do not need to work long hours in order to survive, many chose to do so anyway due to the perception of individuals who do not work as lazy. As a consequence of these societal normalities, it is challenging for Americans to balance their home and work lives, which results in their inability to achieve normal hours of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the amount of sleep needed is different for each individual, but it is recommended that at least eight hours of sleep are gained regardless of age and health variables (National Sleep Foundation, n.d.). Many professionals sleep less than this recommended amount, which predisposes them for stress and anxiety. Furthermore, studies have shown that a combination of a lack of sleep and stress could contribute to a development of depression (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.). It is also well-known that sleep serves anti-inflammatory and restorative functions that helps mend the physical body. It is therefore essential to an individual’s physical and mental health to ensure that they are getting enough sleep. Individuals that sleep the recommended length of time are more likely to be energetic and able to perform their recommended daily tasks, which will reduce stress levels and foster a positive mental state.

In addition, individuals that wish to achieve an energetic and healthy state must ensure that they are eating properly. The body requires certain amounts and forms of nutrition in order to perform adequately, and this performance extends to brain functions as well. A balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are needed to ensure that the body is provided with the energy that it requires throughout the day. More active individuals are likely to need to consume more of these products in able to feel energetic during the completion of their tasks, but even individuals who do not undergo active lifestyles need to consume baseline amounts of these foods to ensure that their bodies have the ability to complete the normal functions needed for life.

An even more important consideration is that the foods that people eat contain vitamins and minerals, which are needed as cofactors in important bodily functions to ensure that the body is able to maintain homeostasis. In terms of mental health, the body needs to consume and/or make vitamin D in order to support mental health. Studies have shown that a lack of vitamin D is closely related to a risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other similar mental disorders in aging adults (Bakalar, 2014). To ensure that people are able to maintain their mental abilities throughout their lifetimes, it is therefore recommended that these individuals follow well balanced diets that include the intake of all vitamins, with an emphasis in vitamin D. Individuals who lack this vitamin due to dietary restrictions, such as vegetarians could take it artificially or spend additional time in the sun so that it could be manufactured by the body. To determine whether this vitamin level is low, it would be valuable to have a blood test done by a physician in order to determine one’s vitamin profile in the blood. Another important vitamin B12, is low among individuals who follow vegetarian diets, which is detrimental to health because it is needed to establish high levels of energy. As a consequence, it is essential for individuals to determine whether they do not have an adequate amount of these vitamins in their system so they are aware that they should be taken through other means. A balanced diet and vitamin intake is therefore necessary to ensure that individuals are able to remain energetic and healthy.

Another way to support energy and health is to ensure that people remain physically active. Studies have shown that physical exercise alone is capable of reducing the risk of depression in addition to its symptoms. Therefore, individuals with a high risk of mental illness would benefit by engaging in a regular physical exercise program. Furthermore, exercise has been shown to serve as a deterrent against other physical ailments, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Sharma et al., 2006). Individuals with these physical ailments are more likely to suffer from mental ailments than the average individual, so participating in exercise programs can help fend off mental illness in more ways than one. Researcher claim that one of the major advantages in regular exercise is the improvement of cognitive function, which prevents against a host of mental illnesses. It is therefore necessary for individuals to engage in regular exercise programs in order to keep their metabolism rate high, which is connected to their ability to remain energetic. In addition, these actions support physical and mental health.

In conclusion, to support mental and physical health in addition to energy, it is necessary for people to sleep for at least eight hours each night, to engage in regular exercise, and to follow a well-balanced diet. These three factors work together to enhance the health of the individual and those who are interested in following a healthier lifestyle should analyze each of these categories to determine how improvements could play into their daily lives. Physicians and counselors regularly recommend these health improvements to their patients because they have been proven to work. In this modern society, it is important for us to consider that despite the ease that innovations have cause in our lives, it is still necessary for us to take steps to ensure that we are able to remain healthy. It is therefore essential for each individuals to evaluate their sleep schedule, diet, and exercise routines to make the changes necessary in order to ensure an improvement in overall health.

References

Bakalar N. (2014). Vitamin D Tied to Alzheimer’s Risk. Well. Retrieved from  http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/14/vitamin-d-tied-to-alzheimers-risk/?_r=0

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Sleep and Psychiatric Disorders. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/neurological_institute/sleep-disorders-center/disorders-conditions/hic-sleep-and-psychiatric-disorders

National Sleep Foundation. (n.d.). How Much Sleep Do We Really Need? Retrieved from http://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need

Sharma A, Madaan V, Petty FD. (2006). Exercise for Mental Health. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry, 8(2): 106.