Tuesday Truths: May 6, 2025
Let’s get real for a moment about our mental health: your brain doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It’s deeply connected to your gut, blood sugar levels, sleep, and stress levels. Hence, OH….the brain fog!
All to essential for memory, focus, and preventing cognitive decline.
Side Note: The brain is 60% fat, so feed it healthy monounsaturated fats (avocados, nuts), omega-3 fatty acids (wild-caught salmon, flax seeds), and polyphenol-rich oils (olive oil).
When one area is off in our body, the ripple effects are real.
“The mind and body are not separate. What affects one, affects the other.”
~Anonymous
Did you know an estimated 31% of Americans experience anxiety at some point, and 1 in 5 or 6 adults…… will face depression during their lifetime? 😟
If you’re navigating anxiety or depression, it’s worth looking at the role “Lifestyle choices” might play in supporting your mental health.
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Recently, I’ve had my own wake-up call.
After undergoing surgery to remove a melanoma and now facing another colonoscopy (yay, Me)🙃
I found myself sinking into a bit of a “funk.” A BIG funk.
However, I know MANY people are battling far more serious health issues. But let’s be honest—when you hear words like cancer or pre-cancer, it shakes you.
Add to that already have an autoimmune disease, and it’s like your mind starts spiraling before you can catch your breath.
That’s precisely when I leaned HARD into the same techniques I teach and coach others to use!
No, these aren’t magic cures, and they won’t solve everything—but they give you tools to manage the waves.
💚 Here are My 7 Self-Care Strategies to Support Mental Health:
1️⃣ Prioritize Sleep.
Quality sleep is foundational. Skimping on sleep can intensify anxiety and depression, and vice versa. I stuck to a consistent sleep schedule to help stabilize my mood, which caused me to sleep for hours.
2️⃣ Get Moving + Fresh Air.
Daily movement is powerful medicine. Even a 30-minute walk can release those feel-good endorphins and melt stress.
Yoga and stretching became my lifeline to clear my mind and loosen up tension and to get me back to the Y and my workout routine.
3️⃣ Fuel with Good Nutrition.
What you eat matters. I focused on balanced meals: lots of lean proteins, complex carbs, and plenty of veggies.
Did you know complex carbs help your brain make serotonin—the “feel-good” chemical?
4️⃣ Limit Alcohol.
It might seem like a glass of wine would help you relax, but alcohol messes with sleep and can tank your mood—especially if you’re on antidepressants.
5️⃣ Meditate & Breathe.
Meditation was my go-to reset button. Even five minutes of quiet breathing helped calm my racing thoughts and cleared my brain fog.
Whether it’s deep breathing, a walking meditation, or just sitting in stillness, it all helps.
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6️⃣ Stay Connected.
I leaned into my circle—family, friends, community. Even simple check-ins kept me from withdrawing. Believe me, I had to force myself to stay active.
7️⃣ Face Your Fears.
It’s easy to retreat when you’re anxious or scared but pushing through—even in small ways—builds confidence.
I kept my routine and said yes to challenges that boosted my self-esteem.
➡️ These habits didn’t fix everything overnight, but they pulled me out of my funk one day at a time.
As Maya Angelou reminds us:
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
This emphasizes that while setbacks are inevitable, the key is not to let them define you and continue to push forward.
Aging comes with its curveballs, but mindset and self-care can help you navigate the bumps with resilience. 🙌
As we honor Mental Health Awareness Month, remember—you are NOT alone, and you don’t have to struggle in silence. 💬
You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” ~ Dan Millman
Until next week, Trust Your Truth, Keep Moving Forward with the AGE-GILITY Mindset.
Consider these lifestyle changes…… to help you cope and better manage your symptoms.
And remember, if you find yourself struggling, talk to your primary care provider, or a mental health professional.
Take care of your mind and your body. You deserve it. 💚
Bye for now!
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