Eating & exercise for mental health

Much like every American, I spent the weekend feeling a lot of sadness about the tragic events that took place in Connecticut last Friday. My heart is broken for the beautiful lives lost and the families who must now move forward without their loved ones. I am also deeply saddened by the mental illness that likely was the root of why that troubled young man acted out the way he did.

I don’t speak out much about my own history with mental health, but when events like these arise, it’s hard not to remember that my own family has a deep history of depression and undiagnosed mental illness. And that we have endured our own horrible family tragedies as a result of these chemical imbalances.

By the grace of God, I have managed to avoid some of the worst of the depression that others in my family have struggled with, and have remedied imbalances or emotional unevenness with my carefully thought out diet and regular exercise, which are medically proven to help restore mental stability and reduce depression.

I am 100 percent in support of mental health medications and counseling, and am incredibly thankful that it exists to help my family and millions of others who battle mental illness. I also think that there are alternatives, like diet and exercise, that we can all benefit from to improve our own mental health and even reduce or eliminate the need for drugs for some.

As we head into 2013, I hope you’ll join me in exploring this topic deeper and consider how a more contemplative diet and lifestyle can offer benefits beyond those we've covered so far.