Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump boasts about his "tremendous" health, but a few of his habits suggest there may be some room for improvement.
Research shows that physical and mental well-being contribute to better leadership, more appropriate decision-making and better emotional regulation. In other words? They're crucial to becoming a viable candidate who is actually qualified to lead the country.
Below are a few wellness mistakes Trump might want to consider working on:
1. Not getting adequate sleep.
As a notorious sleep shamer, Trump claims that he thrives on only a few short hours of rest per night.
“How does somebody that’s sleeping 12 and 14 hours a day compete with someone that’s sleeping three or four?” he said, according to The Daily News.
Well, research shows that sleep improves nearly every facet of a person's life. Getting eight to nine hours of shuteye increases productivity, boosts the immune system, helps regulate emotions and wards off weight gain... just to name a few.
2. Ignoring "EQ."
Emotional intelligence, or the ability to handle emotions judiciously and with empathy, is crucial to a person's overall health. And Trump can potentially use a little work on sharpening his EQ.
An ABC News/Washington Post poll found that only 36 percent of people feel that Trump "better understands the problems of people like [them]." In other words, he failed the empathy test.
Additionally, his comments following the Orlando massacre that killed 49 people were also seemingly void of empathetic and emotional regulation. Instead of responding with a heartfelt sentiment, Trump was self-congratulatory:
The ability to cultivate emotional intelligence can improve communication skills and reduce severe job stress, both of which are crucial for overall wellbeing.
3. Not taking mental health seriously.
Trump's stance on mental health isn't agreeable. But it should be: Research overwhelmingly shows mental and physical health are inextricably connected.
The evidence that Trump thinks mental health is a joke is clear in his Twitter narrative alone, where he uses damaging phrases like "crazy" and "mental basket case."
Not to mention the fact that he shamed and fired a candidate on his reality show “The Apprentice” back in 2004 for exhibiting mental health issues, according to a report from The Daily Beast. He also appeared to mock former GOP candidate Ted Cruz’s wife, Heidi Cruz, for an episode of depression.
Nearly one in five Americans will experience a mental health issue in a given year. Psychological well-being should not go unnoticed -- or worse, be used as a punchline -- if anyone wants to lead a healthier life.
4. Skipping meals.
Trump has mentioned that he isn't a big fan of a morning meal, often forgoing breakfast. In an interview with People magazine, Trump also mentioned that speaking so much sabotages his appetite.
“I never thought it, but speaking is almost a form of exercise,” Trump told the publication. “It’s very exhilarating. Last night I was in Knoxville for 12,000 people. When you are speaking to 12,000 great people, you don’t feel like eating.”
Ignoring the fact that speaking isn't actually exercise, missing meals can affect blood sugar and even brain function.
5. Hatred.
Trump hasn't been shy about his distaste for many communities. He's called for a ban on anyone of Muslim faith entering the U.S. He's preached hateful rhetoric against people from Mexico, calling them "criminals" and "rapists." He's also made degrading comments about women and people with disabilities, marginalized the black community and incited violence on multiple occasions.
Research shows that having bitterness or hatred toward another person (or population) can negatively affect a person's wellbeing. Not only that, discrimination toward others can influence their physical and mental health. If Trump wishes to promote a healthy lifestyle for himself and for others, it might be in his best interest to revamp his mindset.
Besides, hate doesn't look good on anyone -- especially someone who wants to be, say, the president.
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