We tend to think of our emotional and physical states as two completely separate things, especially when it comes to taking care of our health: we exercise to strengthen our muscles, or meditate to clear our heads. But did you know our minds and our bodies have an enormous impact on one another?
May is Mental Health Month, a national observance recognizing the importance of caring for our mental well-being, an essential component of our overall health. In fact, caring for our mental health can often help our physical health—and vice versa.
Below are some quick tips about the mind-body connection, and how it can help you improve your overall wellness! For more details, check out the full article from Beacon Health Options.
Diet and Nutrition: Poor diet has long been linked to physical health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, but did you know the food you eat also has an impact on your mental state?
People who eat a diet rich in whole foods (like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and unsaturated fats) are up to 35% less likely to develop depression, while a diet high in processed, fried, or sugary foods can increase the risk of developing depression by as much as 60 percent.
Sleep: If you’ve ever gotten less shut-eye than usual, you know sleep deprivation can take a toll on both your physical and mental state. That’s because a good night’s sleep helps restore your body and your mind.
In addition to the short-term effects of sleep loss—sluggish body, difficulty concentrating, feelings of irritability—people who regularly have trouble sleeping have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Poor sleep quality can also elevate the risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. In fact, sleep problems impact 50 to 80 percent of people under the care of a psychiatrist, compared to 10 to 18 percent of adults in the general U.S. population.
Stress: From fighting traffic to navigating personal relationships, stress is an inevitable part of life. But when stress lingers, it can become a chronic problem for the mind and the body.
In addition to damaging our emotional well-being, stress can also manifest into physical symptoms like skin breakouts, muscle tension, headaches, digestive problems, and heartburn. Chronic stress can even lead to more serious conditions like heart disease, and has also been linked with reduced ability to fight off viruses.
Exercise: You already know that exercise is good for the body, but it also benefits the mind. Just one hour of exercise weekly has been shown to improve mood and lower rates of anxiety and substance use disorders. People who exercise regularly are also less likely to have depression, panic disorder, and phobias.
Even in the short-term, breaking a sweat might also help you break a smile: working out releases endorphins—a chemical the body releases to reduce stress or pain—which gives us a euphoric feeling known as a “runner’s high.”