Collin County Living Well Magazine November/December 2016 | Page 48

Emotional Fitness By Julie Alvira, MD, MBA H ow fit are we? You may think I’m talking about our bodies, how we want to get or maintain fitness. Maybe like taking a walk every day, or having a gym membership. But, I’m referring to another type of fitness––emotional fitness. FITNESS Webster’s dictionary defines fitness as the quality or state of being fit. Physical activity in conjunction with good nutrition benefits a person by lowering the risks for cardiovascular disease and helps you stay active. In addition, according to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition it also: • Prevents other chronic diseases such as cancer and stroke (all three with heart disease are leading causes of death) • Controls weight • Reduces fat • Promotes development of strong bones and muscles • Increases energy and self esteem as well as decreases the potential for becoming depressed • Relieves stress • Improves sleep There are so many benefits! What if we can condition our minds to work with our active bodies and lifestyles? It’s teamwork between mind and body. Sounds good, right? A perfect balance. It requires a lot of effort from us but it can be done. “Caring for the mind is as important as caring for the body. In fact, one cannot be healthy without the other.”––Sid Garza-Hillman EMOTIONAL FITNESS During our current times, we deal with busy schedules and many tasks at hand that make up our normal day. What Julie Alvira, M.D., MBA, Healthcare Management creator of AJBodysculpt. www.ajbodysculpt.com. A health, wellness, and fitness platform that provides you with the necessary tools to get into a healthier lifestyle. Health & Wellness Speaker/ Corporate Wellness Consulting/ Coaching/ Writer. You can see her fitness videos in Youtube: AJBodysculpt. Contact: [email protected]. 46 COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016