Mental Health and Physical Health
Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own capabilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community.”
What does it mean to you to be healthy?
It’s unfortunate that when we think of health, we usually think of our physical well-being.
Working out, going to the gym, walking, jogging, and swimming are all examples of what it means to be healthy in today’s society. Nobody remembers to talk about their mental state.
We forget that the mind and the body are closely intertwined. These two should not be treated separately because they must collaborate for your overall health.
Good mental health affects your physical health positively while poor mental health affects your physical health negatively.
What is poor mental health?
It can be defined as a situation in which you find it difficult to manage how you feel, behave, and think when confronted with daily life stressors, and this affects the quality of your life.
Signs of poor mental health
- Distractibility
- Indecisiveness
- Inability to concentrate
- Worrying even more
- Low mood
- Sleeping more or less
- Irritability and short temper
- Tearfulness
This is not to be confused with mental health conditions. Having poor mental health does not imply that you are mentally ill.
When you have a mental illness, your symptoms become frequent and continuous to the point where they interfere with your behavioral health. You become unproductive and are unable to give back to society.
Examples of mental illnesses are:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Addictions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Eating disorders
Five ways that mental and physical health are interconnected:
1. Poor mental health can impair your ability to make sound decisions. You may develop a drug or substance abuse problem, which puts you at risk for chronic illnesses like heart disease and respiratory disease. Heart attacks are damaging to your physical health.
2. People who suffer from mental illnesses have a lower immune system. Excessive stress can alter one’s appetite. If your immunity is compromised, you are at a high risk of developing illnesses.
3. A well-balanced diet is essential for your body’s proper functioning, just as it is for your mind. What you put into your body has a direct impact on how your brain develops and functions. Several studies have found a link between a high-refined sugar diet and cognitive impairment. Hence, eating a well-balanced diet improves your mental health.
4. Physical activity or exercise has been shown to have numerous mental health benefits. Exercise causes the brain to release dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. These are chemicals that promote feelings of calmness and well-being, as well as improve your mood. Endorphins also improve concentration, allowing you to complete tasks more efficiently.
5. When your physical health is jeopardized due to a chronic illness such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. Your mental health is also compromised. because of the disease burden and, at times, stigma. Anxiety and depression are two examples of mental health disorders.
Do I need to say more?
MENTAL HEALTH IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS PHYSICAL HEALTH.
Remember, if you have a mental health problem, your physical health will suffer as well. So take this as a challenge and begin caring for your mind. Let’s apply the same effort to our minds as we do to our bodies.
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