The Tea
Mental and physical health are two sides of the same coin. Many people think that they are separate entities, but recent research suggests the two are actually linked. If you’re depressed or stressed for any reason, you’ll suffer from physical health issues too.
Understanding how your mental health impacts your physical health can help you prevent potential diseases that occur due to an unwell mind and body. Read on to learn exactly how mental health affects your physical health.
The Brew
Studies say that more than 50% of people with physical problems also have depression or anxiety disorders
How Does Your Mental Health Impact Your Physical Health?
Several health issues can occur if your mind isn’t in a healthy state. Here are some of the most common physical health issues that can occur:
- Chronic Diseases
Mental illness can increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. People with mental illness are more likely to be overweight, which raises their risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other harmful blood components.
- Sleep Problems
When you have increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, you’ll find it hard to sleep peacefully. Sleep deprivation can cause many issues such as poor memory, reduced concentration, and in some cases, even irritability and aggression.
Physical health problems that can occur when you’re not getting enough sleep are obesity, heart issues, diabetes, inflammation, and accelerated aging.
- Addiction to Harmful Substances
Mental health problems can be serious enough to cause addiction to smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking other drugs. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), people with mental illness are more likely to use harmful substances than those without such a diagnosis.
- Digestive Tract Issues
Poor mental health can cause digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These conditions often affect people under stress or suffering from depression or anxiety more than those living a healthy and stress-free life.
- Weakened Immune System
Poor mental health weakens your immune system. If you’re experiencing mental distress or anxiety, you might be more likely to get sick than someone who’s feeling good.
Your body can’t fight against infections when it’s under stress, so having poor mental health can make you more susceptible to getting an illness than someone who feels well-rested and relaxed.
How to Improve Your Mental Health?
If you want to stay healthy physically, you have to work on improving your mental health. Here are some ways you can improve your mental health:
- Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise can help you feel more energized and less stressed. Research shows that regular exercise can help you sleep better, manage depression, improve self-esteem and reduce anxiety.
It’s thought that exercise improves blood flow to your brain, which may help protect it from damage caused by stress or lack of sleep.
- Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet may improve how you feel, because the right foods help keep your body healthy and functioning well. Studies have shown that people who eat a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables live longer, are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, and experience better sleep quality.
- Consult an Expert
A mental health expert can improve your mental health by encouraging you to talk about your feelings. Your doctor will listen carefully to anything you want to say and ask questions that help them understand what’s going on in your life. You’ll feel lighter after a detailed session which is good for your mental health
The Pour
As you can see, your mental and physical health are deeply intertwined. Taking care of one side of your health will naturally make taking care of the other easier, whether you focus on cuisine and fitness or your spiritual well-being.
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