How Your Mental Health State Affects Your Body
Worried
about your state of mind? It’s understandable, but there’s one thing you should
know before you start freaking out – it can affect the health of your body,
too. That’s why it’s important to know how mental health and its impact on the
body relate and what you can do about them both.
Mental health mean
Mental
health refers to a level of psychological well-being or an absence of mental
illness—it does not refer to an absence of sadness, anger, or stress. It is
important to understand that just because you have a mental health condition
doesn’t mean you can’t be healthy!
Why is mental health important?
We all know how important it is to take care of our physical
health, but did you know that mental health is just as important? It’s easy to
assume that your mind and body are separate entities, but in reality they’re
one in the same. When we neglect our mental health, we end up feeling stressed
out and anxious. Over time these feelings can lead to more serious issues like
depression or even heart disease. If you want a healthy body, it’s essential
that you treat your mind well too. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy
state of mind:
What Are The Symptoms Of A Poor Mental Health?: Feeling down
or depressed is normal sometimes—it’s part of being human. But if those
feelings start interfering with your daily life, then something isn’t right. It
could be depression or another type of mood disorder like anxiety or bipolar
disorder.
Mental
health mean
Mental
health refers to a level of psychological well-being or an absence of mental
illness—it does not refer to an absence of sadness, anger, or stress. It is
important to understand that just because you have a mental health condition
doesn’t mean you can’t be healthy!
1) Stress
Let’s face
it. Stress will always be in our lives to some degree—and it can be extremely
damaging to our bodies. Stress has been linked to a number of serious health
issues, from heart disease and depression to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and
headaches. While many think stress is caused solely by work or financial
burdens, there are other factors that play a role in how stressed we feel. For
example, lack of sleep, physical pain, and even loneliness have all been shown
to increase levels of stress hormones in our bodies. If you find yourself
feeling overwhelmed or anxious on a regular basis, try making changes to your
diet and exercise routine; take up meditation; spend more time with friends;
get enough sleep; etc. You might just find yourself feeling less stressed
overall!
2) Anxiety
Anxiety can
affect your body in a number of ways, whether you’re able to detect it or not.
The physical symptoms that anxiety causes can be much like those of an actual
illness, but it’s often hard to pinpoint exactly what’s causing them. From
headaches and muscle tension to nausea and fatigue, anxiety impacts our bodies
both physically and mentally. If you find yourself feeling anxious for no
apparent reason, take note of how you feel and if there are any particular
triggers. These things could provide insight into how your anxiety is affecting
your body and how to cope with it better.
A good way
to deal with anxiety is by using techniques such as deep breathing exercises or
meditation. These methods help reduce stress levels, which may lower the
severity of other symptoms caused by anxiety. When dealing with physical
symptoms caused by anxiety, always consult a doctor first so they can rule out
any serious health concerns that might have similar symptoms.
3) Insomnia
Not sleeping
enough can have far-reaching effects. In fact, a short amount of time with only
a few hours of sleep can wreak havoc on your body. One study found that those
who slept less than five hours per night had an increased risk of type 2
diabetes. Furthermore, insufficient sleep has been linked to obesity,
Alzheimer’s disease and a variety of other conditions. And it doesn’t take long
for these issues to arise: Missing just one hour of sleep per night for two
consecutive nights is enough to cause changes in blood sugar levels. A good way
to combat insomnia is by making sure you get at least seven hours of sleep each
night. If you find yourself struggling, consider taking up relaxation
techniques such as yoga or meditation, which may help lower stress levels and
promote better sleep quality.
4) Depression
Depression
is a debilitating disorder that negatively affects your mind, body and overall
quality of life. As many as one in ten people will be diagnosed with depression
at some point in their lifetime. While there are several different symptoms
that characterize depression, one of these symptoms is insomnia—which causes
fatigue, irritability and difficulty concentrating. In fact, it’s estimated
that up to 60 percent of those suffering from depression also have sleep
problems. So what does all of this mean? Simply put: If you feel like you’re
not sleeping well or getting enough rest, it may be due to your mental health
state. Speak with a doctor if you feel like you might be depressed; they can
help you figure out if treatment is necessary.
5) ADHD
Attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition. People who
have ADHD have trouble paying attention and controlling their behavior. They
may feel restless or impulsive, and can’t sit still for very long. People with
ADHD often make careless mistakes at school or work, forget things they’ve just
learned, or struggle to follow instructions. If you think you might have ADHD,
see your doctor for a diagnosis. A health care professional can recommend
treatment options that will help you manage symptoms like impulsivity and
difficulty concentrating, which can lead to better job performance and
healthier relationships with family members and friends.
6) Memory Loss/Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s
is, sadly, on a steady rise and most of us know someone who has been affected
by it. And while mental health state isn’t always to blame, studies show that
it does have an effect on both short-term and long-term memory. In fact, many
psychologists argue that memory loss could be treated as an early sign of
Alzheimer’s disease or even other neurodegenerative diseases. Cognitive
exercises can help to slow down or stop symptoms such as forgetting names and
objects. By working out our brains, we can in turn keep them healthier for
longer!
7) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/Fibromyalgia
Chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia can cause excessive physical and mental
fatigue that significantly interferes with a person’s ability to carry out
daily activities. It’s sometimes difficult to diagnose, but it is usually
treated with lifestyle changes and medication. Some treatments include
cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise or yoga, breathing exercises, massage
therapy, relaxation techniques and self-care strategies. In some cases where
depression is present as well as CFS/Fibromyalgia, antidepressant medication
may be used in addition to lifestyle changes. In most cases of
CFS/Fibromyalgia, exercise should be done gradually starting out at least 3
times a week for no more than 20 minutes a session until you have built up your
stamina.
8) Immune system disorders
When you’re
experiencing a mental health disorder, your body has to work overtime. One of
the ways it does that is by increasing immune activity and inflammation—both of
which are linked to negative health outcomes. That’s because in order to fight
diseases, your immune system needs more energy than usual. To acquire that
energy, your body breaks down stored fat and also breaks down muscle tissue,
both of which can have long-term effects on metabolism and overall health.
Additionally, inflammation has been shown to affect neurogenesis (the formation
of new neurons) in such a way that cognition decreases; brain disorders like
depression are closely tied with neurogenesis, making these conditions even
more complicated than we initially thought!
9) Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid
arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which joints become inflamed, causing
pain and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can
affect any joint in your body but most commonly affects your fingers, knees,
feet and hips. A diet rich in whole grains and foods low on the glycemic index
are linked to lower inflammation levels. Foods like fish, fruits and vegetables
may also help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis because they contain
anti-inflammatory nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to a
healthy diet for rheumatoid arthritis, physical activity is vital for symptom
management as well as improving overall health.
10) Diabetes/Metabolic syndrome
Did you know
that mental health issues can lead to other health problems? People with
depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder often have metabolic syndrome, which
is a condition in which a person has at least three risk factors for heart
disease. These include obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and
diabetes. According to studies published in JAMA Psychiatry (May 2013), people
with severe mental illnesses have double or triple these risk factors than
those without. Metabolic syndrome increases a person’s risk of having a stroke
or heart attack by up to 50 percent! And as many as one in four patients who
suffer from depression—more than 15 million people in the United States
alone—have diabetes, according to an analysis of data from 2011 and 2012.