Holistic Healing: Integrating Nutrition and Mental Health for Overall Well-Being
Before I explore the connection between body and mind (and the added element of soul/spirit), let me share a bit about my journey:
By my senior year of college, I was quite unhealthy. I had been working as a bartender for the past year (yes, they hired me right after I turned 21 at a popular college bar), and it had taken its toll. I hadn't been much of a drinker in college—it never really appealed to me. But once I started bartending alongside more experienced drinkers, things changed. Cue montage: drinking on the job (encouraged), consuming loads of bar food, getting terrible sleep, neglecting my studies, skipping classes, and not exercising. Looking back at photos from that time, I appeared bloated, exhausted, and unwell. I remember bruising easily, even with a gentle touch. My mental health was in shambles. I was anxious, angry, unstable, and relied on others' approval to feel okay about myself. I was completely lost. Some might say I was gone.
As I was about to start my senior year, I got fired. I was devastated (and now, incredibly grateful). That year, everything aligned, and I transformed my life. I quit drinking and everything associated with it. I changed my circle of friends. I started cooking at home again, preparing healthy meals with a mix of vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, legumes, and fruit. I began working out! Initially, it was small—5-10 minute workout videos on On-Demand (yes, back in the day!) followed by short walks around the block. Then, I started hiking every weekend and visiting a climbing gym on Wednesdays (student discount, bonus!). I dedicated myself to my studies and finished with a 4.0 GPA. My sleep improved dramatically, and I woke up every morning eager for the day. I began reading for pleasure at night and attended meaningful talks and meetups at my college. I experienced true joy—I still remember how much I laughed that year. An authentic laugh, like when I was a child.
When it came time to choose a psychology master's program, it was clear I should find one focused on the mind-body connection. I couldn't, and still can't, separate the two. How we care for our bodies affects our mental health, and how we feel influences how we care for our bodies. Aligning them creates balance. When balanced, you can better recognize your emotions, sense when something is "off," and make changes to live a life that promotes growth, connection, values, and embodiment. Consider this: if you're always sleep-deprived, it becomes your norm. But if you regularly get restorative sleep and have one bad night, you feel the difference intensely, reminding you of sleep's importance for daily well-being and decision-making.
For these reasons and more, I integrate mind-body practices with my clients. How can we reduce your anxiety if you're not consuming enough balanced foods throughout the day? How can we alleviate depression if you're not getting nourishing sleep? How can you feel more connected to others if you spend hours scrolling on your phone? How can we help you identify your feelings and needs if you rely on alcohol or food to numb out at the end of the day? We can't.
If this connection is new to you, let's discuss it further and explore how we can work together! If you're aware of it but need guidance, I'm here to support you.