Mastery has an interesting effect on health

Introduction

In today's society, we often expect the health care system and other institutions to help us stay healthy and cope with everyday life in the best possible way. But much is up to each individual and yes, we all have a great responsibility for our own lifestyle and health. But how do we actually make that happen in practice?

And most of us want good health. But many of us may not think much about our own health until it starts to create problems and challenges.

What is meant by health?

When most of us think about health, it’s often the case that good health is not being sick, and staying healthy is avoiding being sick. But the World Health Organization takes it a step further. They define health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” That’s why there’s so much more to this concept than just avoiding illness.

What's interesting is that mastery is also linked to good health. Research shows that many physiological variables change in a positive direction when we experience coping. For example, there can be a positive effect on blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and, not to mention, mental health.

Mastery – increases quality of life

Being conscious of creating positive experiences and emotions in your own life where you challenge your sense of mastery can therefore have a positive effect on your health.

How we experience our health and quality of life is very individual, and we have different challenges in our lives that affect how we cope with the different tasks and challenges in everyday life. But it is often the case that coping with different tasks and challenges makes us feel that we have more control over our lives, which in turn gives us a better sense of self.

Some researchers go so far as to say that mastery has a magical effect on health, the immune system, the hormonal system and the nervous system.

My experiences say the same, in the last years of learning to live with the challenges after my accident. I have really felt how both lack of mastery and control affect my quality of life and my health.

My positive sense of mastery makes me less depressed and less troubled by anxiety. I also find that it makes me mentally and physically stronger, so that the illness has a less serious character, and it has made it easier for me to return to a new normal after the accident.

Your body hears everything your mind says.

Exercise as an aid to a sense of mastery

Regular exercise brings joy to life and contributes to many important health benefits. Feeling a little less breathless, a little stronger, a little faster, gives a real boost to your mood, energy and sense of accomplishment.

For me, exercise is an important part of my lifestyle, I believe exercise in some form or another is extremely important, but it is important that you find what suits you, it could be a short walk every day, half an hour at a fitness center, but finding a balance between a lifestyle you enjoy and a lifestyle that contributes to good health is important to take care of the one body we have. Both physically and mentally. Exercise is proven to be a good way to get you mastery back after struggling with different health issues.

For a lots of years I have preached a healthy lifestyle, both around food and good exercise habits. After my accident I really needed to dick deep, deep into my own lessons and read what I wrote years ago to refresh my mind on how important a healthy lifestyle is, and what I did years ago when I changed my lifestyle to a healthier one, especially around exercise habits, and I know today that having a healthier lifestyle before the accident made me much stronger to deal with the challenges I faced after the accident, and has made it much easier to get back on my feet. Yes, it has been and still is hard work, and I am the only one who can do it.

Mastering a healthy lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle that you enjoy has a great impact on your health. It affects your mood and your energy to do what you want in life. Having a lifestyle with a healthy diet and good exercise habits is an important part of this. Research shows that the experience of mastery is the biggest motivational factor for being active.

If you want to read more about how and what I did to change my lifestyle to a healthier one check out my other side about food and healthy lifestyle here: jahous.com

How to experience increased mastery and good health?

Now that I have talked about how important mastery is for good health, it may be wise to pay attention to what each of us can do to create this good feeling of mastery.

Here are some tips along the way

• Physical activity gives you a sense of accomplishment and is one of the biggest motivators for many people to continue with physical activity. Try new and different forms of activity and set your own realistic goals. Find whats right for you.
• Be present in the moment and notice what you are feeling here and now. Being close, neutral and curious are states that will give you a greater focus on what is around you. Remember that it is not the quantity, but the regularity that produces results.
• Try something new, or learn something new, start a hobby or interest, set a small goal you want to achieve, or take a course. You are often capable of more than you think. You can master many different things, and reward yourself for each small victory.
• Shifting the focus away from ourselves and onto something else meaningful, such as giving someone a helping hand or contributing something positive to society, can provide an increased sense of accomplishment.

Finding your own balance in everyday life, where you are the boss of your own life, will give you a real boost in your experience of mastery. And it's not about how much you do, but about how you feel doing it. Be kind to yourself, not hard, reward yourself, not punish yourself. I believe in you, good luck.

Final thoughts

Mastery is not about winning downhill races, it's not about being the first to cross the finish line or standing on top of Mount Everest. It's about all the little victories you achieve every day. Like getting up in the morning and being able to go to the grocery store, working out for 5 minutes, clean a littel in the house, all the little things you do every day, most of which few ever see, but they matter to you, these are your victories, this is your mastery of life. And that's all that's matters.