The Effect of Physical Movement on Wellbeing

On November 9, 2024, AWiB held a full-day seminar on Nutrition, Mental Health & Physical Movement.

The session started with a quick warm-up to get everyone’s enthusiasm up, followed by an engaging self-introduction that included a name and a one-body action as an energizer Zochi asserted that physical health is the perfect balance of mental, emotional, and physical activity.  He processed with breathing exercises to show the importance of body and mind alignment.

Key Points

• Our body needs rest just as much as it needs exercise and if we’re not giving ourselves time to recover after a string of workouts, we’re at risk for muscle soreness, injury, depression, and poor sleep.
• Self-discipline is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Consistency is key to building discipline, as it helps turn physical activities into habits. 
• Self–care is the practice of consciously engaging in activities that will make you holistically healthier

Major Takeaways

• Establish a regular workout schedule that suits our lifestyle and preferences.
• Prioritizing self-care allows us to live our lives effectively; gaining optimal balance that helps us tackle challenges in life.
• Scheduling 10-15 minutes of deep breathing exercises daily is the best remedy to reduce blood pressure and stress in adults.

Trauma: Coping vs. Healing

By Senait Temesgen, Mental Health Practitioner at Erk Mead Mental Health Services

Senait Temesgen discussed the effects of childhood trauma on our lives, and the significance of therapy for personal development, well-being, and coping strategies. Senait explained that Trauma is an emotional reaction to a traumatic event, such as an accident, a crime, a natural disaster, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, experiencing violence, a loved one’s death, a war, and more. Shock and denial are common in the immediate aftermath. Additionally, an unresolved past might have an impact on one’s present. And it is important to acknowledge the past.

She clarified that trauma impacts boundaries, trust, relationships, and identity, frequently leading to self-sabotage. The session examined the notion that unresolved trauma is passed down through generations. Senait encouraged people to consider the causes of their unpleasant actions and provided helpful guidance for introspection. As part of the healing process, she promoted cultivating a sincere spiritual connection while pursuing information through books and podcasts. Senait asserted that trauma becomes wisdom when it is healed. People are in charge of their healing process. She also discusses post-coping and maladaptive coping mechanisms

Major Takeaways

• It’s important to acknowledge prior events since they can hurt current life if not resolved.
• Trauma can skew the “I am” mentality, affecting a person’s overall identity and resulting in unfavorable self-perceptions.
• Being aware of our action and their impact on others translates into self-reflection.
• Wisdom is the result of the transformational process of trauma healing. People are in charge of their recovery process.

Nutrition

Facilitated by Abinet Tekle, Ph.D, Founder & CEO at NEED Nutritional Products and Services PLC

Abinet started the session by telling each other stories which enhanced listening skills. Abinet then opened the session by defining food and nutrition and elaborating on macro and micro-nutrients.

Major Takeaways

• We are what we eat
• Avoid packed and processed food
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, a healthy diet, a positive mindset, and a proper physical exercise.
• Our levels of blood glucose (sugar) spike and dip in response to the things we eat. Drastic changes in glucose levels can therefore come with mood swings. Eating specific foods or foods in combination that stabilize blood sugar can help level out mood swings.
• Get enough good sleep! There is a strong connection between sleep quality and a strong immune system. To keep the immune system functioning properly by getting seven to eight hours of sleep
• Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight
• It is important to be aware of Nutrition labels and read carefully the package.
• Keep a balanced nutritious diet and keep your intake of fat, salt, and sugar to a minimum.

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