Mental Health and Its Impact on Physical Health
Are you a fitness enthusiast who spends hours in the gym and follows a balanced diet to keep your physical health in check? But have you ever invested in your mental health?
We often ignore our mental wellbeing or as a taboo in society, no one discusses it either. But do you know it does not matter how well your physical body is if your brain is unstable?
Mental and physical well-being are interdependent and need equal attention. You can go through some available studies that show the interrelationship between depression and the diagnosis of heart disease, hormonal imbalance, etc. Let us understand the interdependence of both on each other and know the basics of it.
What is Mental Wellbeing?
Mental health is a combination of your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Your mental health has a very important role in your day-to-day life. It has an impact on your thought process and decision-making abilities for others and in a certain situation.
Good mental health is reflected in how you handle stress in a situation and your interactions with your surroundings. When you are mentally unfit, you will be distracted and feel lazy, which will interrupt your physical day-to-day work routine.
The Mind-Body Connection
Your thoughts and feelings can communicate with each other through the mind-body link. The term “feeling” suggests a bodily sensation, even though you could think of your feelings as something that only exists in your head. Your emotions are physical sensations. Your emotions are all defined by physical experiences.
The Immune System and Stress
Cortisol, a hormone produced during stress, can temporarily reduce inflammation and increase immunity. However, over time, your body becomes accustomed to having an excess of cortisol in the blood, which can lead to increased inflammation and a reduction in the ability of your immune system to repel external threats.
Emotional Well-Being and Cardiovascular Health
Extended episodes of sadness, anxiety, stress, and even PTSD can have physiological impacts on the body, including elevated cortisol levels, decreased heart blood flow, and increased cardiac reactivity (heart rate and blood pressure).
Research indicates that cardiac events, such as heart failure, stroke, and heart attack, might result in the development of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. So it’s crucial to keep a check on your mental health to avoid cardiovascular problems.
Mental Health Disorders and Chronic Physical Conditions
Individuals who suffer from depression are more susceptible to many health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, back pain, and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, studies indicate that depression may increase the risk of osteoporosis in certain individuals. The explanations are still not quite clear as to why it develops but I am sure future researchers will find out about it.
Long-term chronic illnesses can also lead to depression. Though it is frequently a side effect of long-term medical conditions, depression is not always inevitable. Even if you already have a medical ailment or sickness, you can always choose to receive effective therapy for depression at the West Palm Beach rehab center. These treatments are beneficial as well as safe.
Lifestyle Factors and Holistic Well-Being
Holistic implies interconnectedness. Living a holistic lifestyle entail being aware of the interconnectedness and significance of many health-related aspects.
Living a holistic lifestyle means focusing on everything. Understanding the significance of numerous factors, including socializing and stress management, among many others, is necessary for overall well-being.
A holistic lifestyle is a philosophy that leads to a happy and healthy way of living. A holistic lifestyle emphasizes total wellness rather than simply physical health. You have to eat clean, exercise, and meditate to focus on your mental health too.
Conclusion
There is no surprise when we say our brain and body are correlated, as mental health has a direct impact on one’s physical health. Anxiety can cause an upset stomach, and depression can cause headaches, exhaustion, and digestive issues. Mental health influences your overall well-being. Maintaining mental well-being can help you stay healthy and stave off major medical illnesses.
Every day, your body communicates with you; pay attention to it and look for yourself. If your body is alerting you to a problem, identify it and take action to address it. If you prioritize your mental health by attending to your body’s physical demands, you will feel happier, healthier, and more successful, for sure.
