If the Body Feels Good,The Mind Has a Shot at Feeling Good.
Last week was my birthday week… and instead of celebrating, I was down with a stomach bug.
I had plans. I had goals. I had every intention of being productive.
But I couldn’t. I couldn't power through.
While my body needed rest, my brain was busy keeping score.
The hyper-achiever in me doesn’t like downtime. It doesn’t like unfinished to-do lists. It doesn’t like feeling “behind.” And when I couldn’t power through, that voice got loud:
“You’re falling behind.”
“You’re not doing enough.”
“You should be able to rally.”
But here’s what I had to remember:
When the body is off, the mind follows. Patience shrinks. Negative thoughts get louder. Perspective narrows.
Which is why I say this often — and had to remind myself of it last week: If the body feels good, the mind has a shot at feeling good.
We don’t talk enough about how deeply connected our physical state is to our emotional and mental state.
Research consistently shows:
• Regular movement reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and boosts mood-regulating brain chemicals.
• Walking 7,000+ steps per day has been linked to significantly lower risk of depression.
• Poor sleep increases emotional reactivity and negative thinking.
• Time outdoors reduces stress and rumination.
• Diet, movement, and sleep together create a compounding effect on mental well-being.
Your nervous system doesn’t separate “body” from “brain.” It’s one system. So when we ignore the body, the mind pays the price.
This Week’s Practice: Invest in You
NOT as a reward.
NOT once everything is done.
But as a strategy.
• Move your body — even a walk counts.
• Prioritize sleep like it’s a meeting you can’t cancel.
• Get outside and let sunlight hit your face.
• Limit alcohol and excess sugar — they impact mood more than we think.
• Add something restorative (for me lately, sauna and red light during these cold months has been a game changer).
Self-care isn’t indulgent. It’s intelligent.
Especially for high achievers.
Because when your body feels good, your mind doesn’t have to fight so hard to stay optimistic, focused, and resilient. And that changes everything.
Keep shining - and don't be afraid to slow down.
