Take Care of the Body Carrying Your Mind
Five keynotes in ten days. Different cities. Different hotels. Different stages. Lots of airports, late nights, and early mornings. I love what I do, but by the end of that stretch, my body was exhausted.
And I noticed something: The more physically exhausted I became, the more intrusive my negative thoughts became.
I questioned things I normally wouldn’t question. Little frustrations felt bigger. My inner critic got louder. My mind wanted to turn temporary exhaustion into permanent conclusions. Nothing was necessarily wrong. I was just really, really tired.
That’s when I had to be even more mentally fit. I had to recognize those thoughts for what they were: thoughts - not facts. And I had to remind myself not to believe everything my exhausted brain was telling me. Because when my body feels its best, my mind has a much better shot at feeling its best, too.
But the body-mind connection works both ways. Sometimes physical exhaustion isn’t caused by what we’re doing - it’s caused by everything we’re mentally and emotionally carrying.
My son Ben leaves for college in two weeks. It’s a HUGE change. He’s sleeping, eating well, and exercising, but he keeps saying, “I’m just so tired.” Of course he is. He’s preparing to leave home, start college, meet new people, live with roommates, and navigate a completely different life. He’s excited, but excitement and overwhelm can exist at the same time. His body may be resting, but his mind is processing a thousand unknowns. Mental and emotional overwhelm can be physically exhausting.
Think about when you’re sick. It’s hard to stay positive when your body aches, you can’t breathe through your nose, and you haven’t slept. Everything feels a little heavier, not because your life suddenly changed, but because your body is struggling. We spend so much time trying to think our way into feeling better. Sometimes our minds don’t need another pep talk. Sometimes our bodies need sleep, water, nourishing food, movement, and a little sunshine.
A good night’s sleep won’t solve every problem. Exercise won’t eliminate every negative thought. Eating well won’t guarantee a good mood.
BUT taking care of your body gives your mind a fighting chance.
So, before you believe every negative thought or make a major decision, pause and ask:
… Am I rested?
… Am I hydrated?
… Have I eaten something that fuels me?
… Have I moved my body?
… Do I need to step outside?
… Am I actually struggling or am I exhausted?
Mental fitness isn’t pretending everything is fine. It’s having the self-awareness to recognize what might be affecting the way you’re thinking and feeling and then giving yourself what you need.
As for me, I’m feeling great again. I took the weekend to get some light exercise, lots of sleep, and two days of r&r with my family at the pool.
This week’s Tuesday Tip: Take care of the body carrying your mind.
… Because when your body feels good, your mind has a shot at feeling good, too.
