What is mental health?
Mental health refers to the well-being of an individual on emotional, social, and psychological levels. A person in good mental health can maintain healthy relationships, express a wide range of emotions and manage the difficulties of change. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as the state of well-being where every individual realizes his or her potential works productively and contributes to his or her community.
What is physical health?
Physical health can be defined as the normal functioning of the body at all levels, the normal course of biological processes that ensures individual survival and reproduction, a dynamic balance between body functions and the environment, participation in social activities.
Physical health also depends on nutritional factors. Good nutrition is essential for everyone because growing bodies need more resources. Vitamins and minerals are essential for physical health. Balancing your diet gives you a better chance of maintaining your physical health.
It is often said that our mind and body are separate, but our mental and physical health are interconnected. Multiple associations exist between mental health and chronic physical conditions that significantly impact people’s quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines:
‘’health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’’
The association between mental and physical health are:
- Poor mental health is a risk factor for chronic physical conditions.
- People with serious mental health conditions are at a high risk of experiencing chronic physical conditions.
- People with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health.
How does mental health improve your physical health?
Scientists say that improving your mental health can improve your overall physical health.
Your mind and body are connected in many ways.
Adequate sleep, regular exercise, getting outdoors, and a nutritious diet are all ways to improve your mental health.
Professor of Baylor College of Medicine in Texas says:
A person’s mind, heart, and body are interconnected and interdependent.
Psychological health directly affects heart health and increases the risk of stroke. Regular mental health screening, psychological therapy, and mind-body programs can lead to better cardiovascular health. Work-related stress has been associated with a 40 percent increased risk of developing or dying from heart disease.
Effects of mental health on physical health:
Your mental health plays a huge role in general well-being. Being in a good mental state keeps you healthy and helps prevent serious health conditions. However, poor mental health can lead to poor physical health.
Depression:
It is directly linked to many chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, cancer cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis.
Schizophrenia is linked to a high risk of respiratory and heart disease. People suffering from depression are more likely to suffer from cancer and heart disease.
Sleep problems:
People with poor mental health conditions are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea. Insomnia can make it hard fall to asleep while sleep apnea leads to breathing problems. 50 to 80% of people with mental health conditions have sleeping problems. Anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder may also lead to sleep problems.
Smoking:
People with mental health conditions are more likely to smoke than those who don’t have mental health conditions. Among smokers, people with mental health conditions are more likely to smoke a greater number of cigarettes.
People with depression have lower levels of dopamine. Dopamine influences positive feelings in your brain. The amount of nicotine in cigarettes triggers the production of the chemical dopamine, so smoking may be used to relieve symptoms of depression.
Access to healthcare:
It may be more difficult for people with mental health conditions to take care of their physical health.
Physical conditions that may affect mental health:
Your physical well-being also has an impact on your mental health. Psoriasis is a dermatological condition characterized by painful red sores on the skin. It is associated with acute stress and depression. Individuals may also experience emotional and psychological distress that negatively impacts their overall health and quality of life.
Being diagnosed with cancer or a heart attack can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Indirect effects of mental and physical health:
Physical and mental health may have an impact upon each other via unemployment. Worse physical health may imply a loss of wages. The income effect impacts negatively on your mental health as well.
Mental health may also affect an individual’s decision-making process, reduce their ability to access information on their health.
How to take care of your mental and physical health?
Get regular exercise:
Exercise is important for keeping you physically fit and it can also improve your mood. A daily 10-minute walk can increase your mental alertness and leave you in an energetic mood.
Avoid alcohol and drugs:
Drinking and smoking may feel you better for a short time, but both have negative effects on your physical and mental health.
Eat a proper diet:
Always go for diets high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed sugar or fats that can make you feel better physically and mentally.
Get enough sleep:
A good night’s sleep must be around 7-8 hours for adults. You can also have a 30 minute a during the daytime to make you feel more alert.
Develop good mental practices:
Try to focus on positive emotions rather than negative ones.
Try relaxation techniques:
Meditation, deep breathing, and focusing your thoughts can all help when you are feeling stressed.
Encourage exercise:
It is much easier to incorporate healthy exercise habits, Making physical activity a part of your life provides you a built-in healthy coping mechanism that improves your mental and physical health in the long run.
