Building Better Mental And Physical Health

The mind and body are often considered two separate entities, and although that may be true, they are also inherently connected.

Mental wellness significantly impacts every aspect of one’s life, from the choices we make, how we feel, how we react to situations and comprehend things to how we manage our relationships, social lives, and handle pressure.

Good mental health can positively affect our physical health just as bad mental health can negatively and vice-versa. However, they are not entirely dependent on each other, as both aspects sometimes require us to put in intentional efforts.

What Is Physical Health And Why is It Important

Physical health is simply the absence of illnesses or injuries. Many factors affect physical health, including rest and sleep, healthy nutrition and diet, healthy weight, dental health, medical self-care, and personal hygiene. Physical health is essential for overall health.

Furthermore, engaging in healthy physical activity is also a significant factor. Being physically active is just as good for the brain as it is for the body. It helps relieve stress, get better sleep, increase energy level, reduce body fat, boosts self-esteem, and many more.

According to studies, physical activity releases a hormone called endorphin. This hormone helps improve mood and reduce the feeling of pain.

What Is Mental Health And Why Is It Important

Mental health comprises psychological, emotional, and social wellness. It primarily influences how we feel, think, act, our choices, how we relate with people, and so on. Mental health is essential at every stage of our lives, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and aging.

However, mental health isn’t always the absence of mental problems, freedom from depression, anxiety, or other psychologically related issues. It is ultimately the possession and exhibition of an optimistic attitude.

Effect Of Mental Health On Physical Health

According to research, physiological wellness reduces the risks of strokes and heart attacks. Your mental health plays a significant role in general well-being.

A good mental state can help prevent severe health conditions and keep you healthy. However, poor mental health can also cause unhealthy behaviors or poor physical health conditions such as:

1. Depression is associated with many chronic illnesses, including diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cancer, and heart diseases.

2. Schizophrenia also is linked to a higher risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

3. ‌Sleep disorders — People with mental health conditions are susceptible to sleep disorders, like insomnia or sleep apnea.

Mental health conditions can make a chronic illness more challenging to manage, as death rates from cancer and cardiovascular diseases are more significant among people suffering from depression or other mental health conditions.

Furthermore, just as mental health affects physical, physical wellness also impacts your mental health.

People with physical health conditions may also develop mental health conditions.

How To Improve Physical and Mental Health

Maintaining physical and mental health sometimes requires conscious effort. Here are a few tips on consciously improving your mental and physical health.

1. Social Bonding And Connection

Humans are social beings, and whether we choose to accept or not, we are dependent on each other to survive and thrive.

However, reaching out is not a sign of weakness; rather, it eases some burden and improves health. Call up friends, have dinner, go out for coffee, invite someone for movies, socialize and interact.

2. Engaging In Physical Activities and Exercises

Studies have proven that exercise is an effective but frequently underused therapy for mild depression. Furthermore, outdoor exercise helps boost mood and vitamin D levels.

It enhances memory and sleep and serves as an effective stress reliever.

3. Nutrition And Rest

What you feed and do not feed on affects your health and state of mind in some ways. Unhealthy feeding has adverse effects on your health, while good feeding enhances it. Also, get enough rest

4. Practice Good Mental Exercise

Focus on positive events and emotions rather than negative ones.

5. Seek Help When Necessary

If you still can’t perform to your full potential after all these tips, although they are very beneficial, you should reach out to professionals.

Final Note

Mental and physical wellness are connected in many important ways and should be viewed as essential to be mastered, repeated, and balanced.

Mental and emotional issues are not a form of weakness or a result of one’s negligence. Anyone can be mentally or emotionally challenged at one point or the other. Still, many of us make no effort in improving the situation and ignore it by putting up a front or being in denial.

Ultimately, the ability and willingness to explore new skills or ideas, adaptation to dynamism, high self-esteem, the balance between work, fun, and rest result from excellent physical and mental health.

It takes just some conscious effort to build and preserve a healthy lifestyle.