The debate around the connection between physical health and mental health has been around for a very long time. Every now and then, we find celebrities coming up with their take on it and the recent joiner to that list is the renowned tennis player, Serena Williams. The player recently took to Instagram and opened up about the impact of mental health on her fitness regime. Though Williams is always active on social media with her workout sneak peeks, she revealed that her focus is not just on her physical health but also on preserving her mental well-being.
Serena William’s Take On Overall Well-Being
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In one of her recent Instagram posts, Serena talked about how half of her time at the gym gets spent just taking an endless number of selfies. As per the player, it is a way for her to feel more confident about herself, and the self-assurance that comes with perfectly lit pictures acts as a boost in her fitness journey.
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Serena Williams has always been very open and vocal about both her physical and mental struggles. She has been a strong advocate of mental well-being and has herself opened up about her postpartum emotions and mental struggles it came with. Her dedication to overall fitness and well-being isn’t just confined to herself, in fact, she has tried to impart it to her family as well. In a previous post of the player’s, her daughters can be seen assisting each other while doing sit-ups. Williams has adopted a holistic approach towards fitness and well-being which has made her a great example when it comes to striking the right balance in one’s life.
Connection Between Physical And Mental Health
World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. According to Dr. Fabian Almeida, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, physical and mental health go absolutely hand-in-hand. He emphasized the fact that leading an active lifestyle releases feel-good hormones like endorphins and dopamine which play a significant role in enhancing mental health. Setting a specific time to get up and exercise instills a sense of discipline and adjustment as well as helps develop the level of endurance and power of resilience. He gave the example of the world-famous swimmer Michael Phelps who was diagnosed with ADHD in the sixth grade and is now one of the most famous sports personalities in the world, all because of his positive and holistic approach.
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It is important to be well both in terms of mentality and physicality, the first step of which is to understand the link between the two. The protective factors when it comes to preserving one’s mental and physical health are increasing physical activity, consuming healthy and nutritious food, and striving for social inclusion and support.