Mental health and physical health are closely intertwined. Good physical health helps us to better regulate and manage our mental health.
Conversely, poor physical health can negatively effect mental health including stress, anxiety and depression.
The Mental Health Foundation is committed to supporting individuals on their journey to wellbeing in both areas. They have a range of resources available such as support groups, online toolkits, blogs and information sheets across topics related to mental and physical health – including stress management, healthy lifestyle choices, self-help techniques for managing symptoms of depression or anxiety and more. Additionally, they provide essential advice on exercise for wellbeing – detailing why it so important for maintaining good mental and physical fitness.
They also provide information about how achieving personal goals can boost confidence and contribute to improved wellbeing overall. Alongside this they champion schemes that allow individuals direct access to green spaces as a way of reducing stress levels; something which has been proven to help improve the lives of those dealing with low moods or anxiety disorders just as much as those experiencing good mental health.
How does my mental health affect my physical health?
Mental health problems can have a significant effect on physical health, with some studies suggesting that those with mental illnesses are more likely to suffer from chronic physical issues. Mental illness can lead to poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking or neglecting regular medical screenings. Additionally, it is possible that genetics could have an influence – certain genes which increase the likelihood of developing a mental illlness could also be involved in worsening physical health. Furthermore, difficulty concentrating or motivating oneself can create difficulties such as not being able to plan and arrange medical appointments or undertake activities to sustain one’s physical health.
It is important that healthcare professionals consider both the mental and physical well-being of their patients and provide support to make changes where needed. Offering advice on healthy lifestyles such as cutting down on alcohol intake or quitting smoking can improve a patient’s psychological and physiological state. Networking with various community organizations may provide additional assistance for patients who struggle more extensively with maintaining their overall wellbeing and which cannot be solved solely through medical intervention.
Exercise
Physical activity is important for both our physical and mental wellbeing. Regular exercise can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. Not only does it make us feel better emotionally but it also boosts our energy levels, reduces fatigue and helps to keep us mentally alert. Research has found that doing just a short burst of 10 minutes of brisk walking or other physically active pursuits can result in improved moods, mental alertness and increased energy levels.
Finding something you enjoy doing is key to staying motivated when it comes to exercising for your mental health. Gardening, running, cycling or even just taking the dog for regular walks are all great ways to destress and improve your general wellbeing. Exercise makes us feel better by releasing endorphins into the brain which act as natural painkillers while at the same time improving our sleep quality and reducing chances of long-term illnesses such as heart disease. All these benefits combine to ensure we have an improved quality of life. So why not give it a go?
Eating Well
Eating well is an essential part of leading a healthy lifestyle. It is important to ensure that our diets are balanced and include a variety of different nutrients in order to fuel the body with energy and supply it with essential vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet should include proteins, complex carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins, minerals and water. Eating adequate quantities of these components can improve your physical and mental wellbeing, providing you with the energy to get through the day.
Regularly consuming foods that are high in sugar or heavily processed can be detrimental to your health too. These foods contain very few helpful nutrients which likely will not nourish your body or help boost your mood or concentration levels. If you want to make positive changes to daily dietary habits try swapping unhealthy snacks like crisps and chocolate for more nutritious options such as nuts, fruit and veg. Incorporating more fresh ingredients into meals may also help to optimise overall nutrition levels while increasing taste, appeal and enjoyment! Additionally, when we eat well we can reduce the risk of developing certain mental health conditions such as depression and dementia that are often associated with poor nutrition.