Many people believe physical and mental health are two different things, but this is untrue. The fact is that both have an interconnection.
When you are sick, do you notice that you are not only physically tired but also mentally exhausted? And, when you have any tension or issues hampering your mental health, do you notice that your body feels lazy and you don’t want to do anything?
Therefore we can say that there is some acute connection between both.
So, when you have good physical health, your mental health will automatically improve, and vice versa. Hence, by understanding the connection between them and maintaining them, you can live a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.
Now that you know the close relationship between your mental and physical health, let’s dig into the details for a better life.
What is the science behind the impact of physical health and mental health?
For a long time, researchers have studied the connection between physical and mental health. They discovered various ways in which your body influences your mental wellness. We have listed some of them below to help you understand the connection better.
1. Endorphin Release
Do you know about the happy hormone, endorphin? Yes, you must have! Regular physical activity, like exercise, releases endorphins and boosts your mood. This further relieves stress, anxiety, and your overall mental health.
2. Reduce Inflammation
You must have heard of chronic inflammation. They are the main reason behind anxiety and depression. When you do, regular physical activity reduces inflammation, anxiety and stress. Further, it supports better mental health.
3. Improved Sleep
Your body needs 7-9 hours of sleep daily for better mental and physical health. Optimal sleep is the need of the body and not an option. So when you exercise regularly, your body gets tired, and you receive a good night’s sleep. Thus, promoting a healthy mind.
4. Increased Energy
When you do regular exercise, you not only maintain your weight but also improve your energy level. This can lead to an improved mood and mental clarity. Further, it helps you cope better with stress and mental challenges.
Tips for Maintaining Both Physical & Mental Health
Now that you know the connection between both and the scientific reason behind their connection, let us move ahead. The TherapyJourney.co lists the 6 tips to maintain mental and physical health.
1) Eat Healthier Food
An old saying says that healthy food means a healthy body and mind. Therefore, if you cannot maintain healthy physical and mental health, you should eat healthy food. Skip fast food, soda, and junk food and move toward a healthy diet. Eat healthy foods like grains, meat, fruits, etc. Eating healthy food will improve your mood, reduce the chances of getting sick, and offer health benefits.
2) Exercise Regularly
A healthy body means a healthy mind. Exercising regularly helps you lose weight, get better sleep, and increase your energy level. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, regular exercise releases endorphin, the happy hormone that boosts your mood and reduces anxiety. When your body is healthy, your outlook on life improves automatically. You can do more work every day because you have more energy and spend less time nursing aches and pains.
3) Get Proper Sleep
You don’t feel fresh in the morning when you don’t get proper sleep. Your body will feel lazy, and your body will seem as if it has no energy. If you don’t sleep enough, you may find it harder to focus and perform at your best.
Researches prove that getting the recommended amount of sleep each night (seven to nine hours) can improve your memory, attention span, creativity, and ability to make sound decisions.
4) Avoid substance (Drugs & Alcohol) abuse
You can probably guess why alcohol and drugs are bad for your body if you’ve ever had a bad hangover after a night of heavy drinking or drug use. Alcohol and drug abuse are directly linked to physical and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and a pessimistic outlook on life.
If you give up drugs and alcohol, your emotional and physical well-being will improve. Replace them with nutritious foods and regular exercise, and you will notice positive changes in your body.
5) Mindfulness
People rush through life every day without pausing to enjoy the little things. Researches prove that mindfulness can aid you in calming your mind and relaxing your body. It can bring your optimistic side to the front. As per TherapyJourney.co, practicing mindfulness can help you become more in tune with your body to alleviate depression and anxiety and better handle chronic pain.
6) Seek Help from Others
You must have noticed that when you meet your friends after a long time and spend some time with them, you have a lift in your mood after that. Do you know why? Because you are happy around them. When you feel low or your body is not doing well, then you should socialize. Maintain healthy relationships with people you care about and seek help if you feel down. It can be your partner, parents, friends, or someone close to you. After all, a happy mood relates to a happy body and mind.
This dentist in Boynton Beach adds that you can also consult professionals to keep your physical and mental health as healthy as possible. You can do so through regular health checkups with your doctors.
Conclusion
The mind-body relationship is complex yet very simple to comprehend. How we see ourselves and the world can affect the mind and body. One cannot properly care for their mind or body by neglecting the other. Each one depends on the other one.
Taking care of your body can profoundly affect your mental well-being. As mentioned above, regular physical activity alleviates stress, lifts the mood, and improves general mental health. Endorphins (happy hormones) are neurotransmitters released in the brain due to physical activity. This helps reduce stress and elevate the mood.
Similar to how taking care of your mental health can benefit your body, the opposite is true.
When you have a positive self-image, you are more likely to make healthy food choices and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to thrive. In addition to protecting your heart and keeping your digestive system in good shape, a positive self-image can motivate you to be more physically active and social.
Meta: Is there a connection between your physical and mental health? Yes, there is. Read this to find out the science behind it and tips to keep yourself mentally and physically fit.
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