Introduction

At ReWild America, we're committed to enhancing our quality of life through continuous research and learning. Whenever we discover effective strategies or insightful ideas, we're eager to share them to uplift others' standards of living. In this post, we'll introduce fresh perspectives and build upon the concepts discussed in a previous post, "Why We’re Seeing a Nationwide Mental Health Decline," focusing on the intertwined nature of our nation's mental health crisis and the physical body's role in mental well-being. We aim to explore the primary causes of our declining mental health and propose actionable solutions for improvement.

Our Nation’s Current Mental Health Status

Traditionally, mental health issues have been attributed solely to the brain. However, this narrow view is becoming increasingly outdated. The key to genuine healing lies in acknowledging the brain-body connection—our physical state deeply influences our mental health. This idea is supported by research by Miller, Maletic, and Raison (2009), who explore the implications of the body's inflammatory response on mental health, suggesting that addressing physical health can significantly impact mental well-being. 

It's crucial to question why mental health symptoms manifest both mentally and physically, yet treatments often target only the brain's chemical imbalances, offering temporary relief at best and ignoring the underlying causes. A holistic approach recognizes the importance of addressing systemic inflammation and other bodily imbalances to enhance both brain function and emotional well-being.

Three Major Problems and Their Solutions

1. Poor Diet/Nutrition

The prevalence of highly processed foods poses significant health risks, contributing to inflammation, addiction to sugars, and a myriad of health issues, including lethargy, obesity, anxiety, and depression (the list could go on and on). A pivotal study by Jacka et al. (2010) in the "American Journal of Psychiatry" demonstrates a significant link between diet quality and common mental disorders, providing evidence that diet plays a critical role in mental health.

Our fast-paced lifestyle often leads us to choose convenience over quality, neglecting the benefits of whole foods prepared with fresh, minimally processed ingredients. Instead, we eat out, grab fast food, or pop a frozen meal in the microwave for a few minutes. 

Most of the country should be on a long list of supplements to get to “normal” functioning due to the lack of quality nutrients. The cells within our body need energy to function properly, and this energy is provided by proper nutrition. Without this energy, our cells die. If all of our cells were to die, we would die. You can imagine how a gradual loss of these cells can seriously impact our well-being and ability to function properly.

Solution: Prioritize home-cooked meals with whole foods, organic ingredients, and quality protein sources (we prefer 100% grass-fed meats). Minimize your intake of processed sugars and refined carbohydrates. Avoid seed oils and pre-packaged foods. If you can’t read or understand the ingredients on the back or if the list is extensive, don’t buy it. Embracing a whole-food diet can significantly improve both physical and mental health. It nourishes the mind and body with the necessary nutrients to thrive.

2. Poor Lifestyle Choices

The shift towards a more sedentary lifestyle (mainly indoors), coupled with excessive screen time and inadequate sun exposure, has taken a toll on our health. These factors, along with chronic stress from overwork, overplanning, overinvolvement in outside activities, arguments with a spouse or family member, constant worry about superficial things, sleep deprivation, and lack of relaxation (this list could also go on and on), trigger harmful effects on the brain and body.

When our body is under stress, it releases cortisol. Cortisol kills brain cells, shrinks the brain, and leads to mood and memory disorders. Constant stress wears and tears on the body and brain. Our sedentary lifestyle diminishes the powerful healing abilities of exercise, vitamin D, time outdoors, and connecting with others. 

Solution: Make self-care a priority by incorporating regular exercise (Chekroud et al., 2018), relaxation techniques, and spending time outdoors. Such practices not only counteract stress but also promote overall well-being through increased neurogenesis and improved sleep quality.

Some ways to incorporate relaxation include meditation, yoga, deep breathing, making love, exercise, and sleep. A quick Google search will probably give you a hundred more ideas.

3. Improper- and Over-Use of Medication

The modern inclination towards "quick fixes" for health issues often leads to overdependence on medications without addressing the root causes or looking for alternate solutions. This approach is problematic due to the lack of understanding regarding long-term medication effects and their interactions when taking multiple different medications. Whitaker (2010) critically examines the long-term outcomes of psychiatric medications, suggesting that while they may be effective in the short term, they often lead to worse outcomes over time.

To no fault of their own, most mainstream doctors are trained and specialize in only one small area of the body. They know what to prescribe to help alleviate the symptoms of that part of the body and who to refer you to if you have symptoms that may be associated with other parts of the body. But we have very few doctors who take a step back and look at the whole picture, having the ability to recognize that all the symptoms are connected and are a result of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. 

Why is it that we are not asking the questions: What do I need to do to get off my medications? Why are the symptoms not resolved when I stop the medication? What do I need to do to correct the underlying problem causing these symptoms? 

Solution: Give your body a chance to heal itself first. If you go to the doctor, ask if there are other solutions before taking an OTC, antibiotic, or prescription medication. Often, changes to diet or lifestyle and increased exercise will have a bigger and longer-lasting impact on recovery than medication. 

Of course, there are exclusions to this—there are cases where medication and/or medical intervention are absolutely necessary and life-saving. 

Some other options could be to find a Functional Medicine doctor or a Homeopathic doctor. Both tend to offer more natural forms of help when looking to heal or cure an issue. Functional medicine examines the body’s current functioning and abilities as a whole and addresses changes that need to be made in lifestyle, diet, nutrition, and environment to fix the root cause of symptoms. Homeopathy offers remedies from natural substances such as plants, animals, or minerals to aid the body’s own healing process.

Conclusion

Though the challenges may seem daunting, there is ample reason for optimism. Emerging research underscores the brain's remarkable capacity for neurogenesis (Eriksson et al., 1998) and neuroplasticity, offering hope for recovery and resilience. By embracing a healthy lifestyle and holistic health practices, we can revitalize our minds and bodies and achieve a state of wellness as nature intended.

Resources

Nutritional Medicine as Mainstream in Psychiatry

Nutritional Therapies for Mental Disorders

Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner Near You

The UltraMind Solution by Mark Hyman, M.D.

Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants by Dana Ullman, M.P.H.  

Related Posts

Why We’re Seeing a Nationwide Mental Health Decline 

How to Navigate Diet and Nutrition Advice 

Seed Oils Exposed: Why You Should Avoid Them and Healthier Alternatives

How to Make Fitness a Part of Your Life 

Tips for Restful Nights: Navigating the Wandering Mind

Maximizing Health with Morning and Evening Sunlight: Insights from Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman