Physical and Mental Health

Although our minds and bodies are two distinct things, we usually think of them as

Health and wellbeing go hand in hand. We are more likely to experience mental health problems if we have physical health problems, and vice versa. Nearly one-third of people who have a chronic physical health issue also struggle with mental health issues, the most prevalent of which are stress or depression.

What actions can I do to help myself?

If you have a mental health issue, you may not necessarily need to develop a physical health condition. You can take specific actions to increase your likelihood of maintaining your physical fitness.

Eat sensibly Eating sensibly can improve your mood and make you feel better. A well-balanced diet includes proteins, essential fats, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. A range of mental diseases, such as depression and dementia, are affected by food in terms of their onset, treatment, and prevention.

Exercise Physical activity is a great way to improve both your physical and mental health. According to study, exercising causes the release of endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals, in the brain. Your mental clarity, energy, and mood will improve with even a brief burst of fast walking for 10 minutes.

What impact does my mental health have on my physical well-being?

According to study, people who have mental health issues are more likely to experience a physically treatable disorder like heart disease. There are several reasons why this might be the case, including:

• Genetics. The same genes that increase the likelihood of having a mental health condition may also influence physical health issues.

• Low motivation Some medicines or mental health conditions may lower your desire to take care of yourself.

• Planning and concentration issues If your mental health problem affects your ability to pay attention, scheduling or attending medical appointments may be challenging.

• Lack of desire to change unhealthy behaviors Healthcare professionals may assume you are unable to make changes and hence decline to offer you assistance with quitting smoking or reducing your alcohol intake, for example.

Being less likely to seek medical attention Medical professionals may ignore your physical symptoms because they think they are caused by your mental illness. People who suffer from mental diseases are less likely to get routine physical examinations that could detect early signs of physical ailments (such as blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol).