Paying Closer Attention to the Boiling Pot
Mounting evidence exists for people to pay closer attention to mental health, just like physical health.
In March of 2021, The American Heart Association (AHA) published a scientific statement titled Psychological Health, Well-Being, and the Mind-Heart-Body Connection.
In the statement, the AHA concluded that mental health contributes positively and negatively to cardiovascular health. They concluded that “the preponderance of data suggest that interventions to improve psychological health can have a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health.”
Despite published research, the importance of managing our mental health is often overlooked, much like a silent killer that hides in plain sight for our physical health — high blood pressure.
And the problem is only getting worse. In November of 2023, USA Today published a new report that 1 in 5 people are suffering with depression.
The Mind-Body-Heart Connection
When it comes to our well-being, both physical and mental health are intertwined. Just as we diligently check our blood pressure to prevent hypertension, we need to be equally proactive in managing our mental health to avoid potential pitfalls.
Being Proactive is Critical
Unmanaged mental health issues can be as treacherous as high blood pressure. Often, the signs are subtle, and the consequences can be severe. People don’t always recognize the importance of monitoring their mental well-being until it’s too late.
Understanding Unmanaged Mental Health
Imagine high blood pressure as a metaphor for unmanaged mental health. Just as hypertension strains the heart, unmanaged stress, anxiety, and depression can strain the mind, affecting not only our emotional well-being but also our physical health.
Can We Objectively Measure Mental Health?
The quick and current answer is no. The question arises: Can we develop a metric to gauge our mental health, just as we monitor blood pressure? While it’s a complex challenge, advancements in the field of mental health diagnostics are paving the way for more objective measurements.
A Path to Greater Precision
Much like blood pressure readings guide medical intervention, having objective mental health metrics can enable early intervention and greater precision for support. Objective measurements can help us understand our mental health status and make necessary adjustments. Even when we don’t realize that out pot may be boiling just a bit too much.
The Need for Being Proactive
Early intervention is key in preventing high blood pressure-related health issues. Similarly, addressing mental health concerns proactively can help prevent the silent suffering that often leads to more severe conditions like anxiety and depression.
Balancing Act
Just as we strive for a balanced diet and regular exercise to maintain physical health, we must balance self-care and stress management to sustain mental health. The two are interconnected, and nurturing one can benefit the other.
Wrapping Up
The parallels between managing mental health and blood pressure remind us that our overall well-being is a holistic concept. Just as high blood pressure can remain unnoticed and deadly, unmanaged mental health can have long-lasting consequences.
While the measurement of mental health remains a work in progress, the necessity of early intervention and proactive management is clear. As we continue to explore objective ways to measure mental health, let’s remember that safeguarding our mental well-being is just as important as monitoring our physical health. In doing so, we can unveil the hidden killer and pave the way for a brighter, healthier future.
