Physical health plays a major role in mental well-being. Eating balanced meals, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking all help improve mood and maintain a healthy body.
Co-existing physical and mental conditions can be particularly harmful and lead to worse outcomes. Many symptoms are the same, including a racing heart, stomach aches, and other somatic symptoms.
Stress
Stress is a natural response to situational pressures or demands. It results in brain chemicals, called hormones, surging through your body. These chemicals trigger your built-in alarm system, activating the “fight or flight” response. This causes your heart to beat faster, you breathe more quickly, and your muscles tense.
When your stress level stays high for a long time, it becomes a problem. This is called chronic stress, and it can cause a wide range of health problems.
It can weaken your immune system, speed up aging, and increase your risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. It can also lead to depression and anxiety. However, good stress can help you meet challenges by inspiring and motivating you to do better at work or school. It’s a little like the thrill you get from riding a roller coaster, going on a first date, or competing in a sport. Scientists call it eustress. It can even be a good thing, spurring you to win a race or go for that job interview.
Anxiety
If you’re constantly worried or anxious to the point where it affects your daily life, talk to your GP. You should also get a full physical examination to make sure there’s no medical cause.
Being under constant stress can lead to all sorts of health problems over time, including high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also trigger digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation, headaches and migraines, and autoimmune disorders such as lupus.
Psychological treatment can help. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves working with a therapist to look at actions and patterns of thinking that may be causing anxiety. It can also involve mindfulness techniques, which are designed to help you focus on the present moment and learn to control intrusive thoughts. It’s important to note that anxiety often occurs alongside other mental health conditions, such as depression, so it’s a good idea to discuss all your symptoms with your doctor.
Depression
Depression affects the mind, body, and spirit. It can cause fatigue, feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem, loss of interest in activities, aches, and pains, changes to eating habits, and poor performance or lack of attendance at work. Depression also can affect personal relationships and can lead to substance misuse or thoughts of suicide.
Depression may increase your risk for certain physical conditions, such as diabetes, heart problems, and respiratory disorders. It can also make it harder to manage preexisting health conditions. Depression can cause symptoms that mimic general medical illnesses and can interfere with the diagnosis and treatment of those illnesses.
If you or a loved one is depressed, encourage them to talk to their doctor. Suggest they set up an appointment with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Then, offer to go with them to their first appointment or attend a family therapy session. You can also help by encouraging them to eat well, get enough sleep and stay physically active, check in with friends, and renew their spiritual self.
Sleep
Sleep is essential for physical health and a good night’s rest can help people deal with stress and negative emotions. It also supports normal memory function by converting short-term memories into long-term ones and by clearing out waste, such as proteins that accumulate throughout the day.
Studies have shown that adequate sleep can reduce the risk of developing depression and anxiety. In addition, a 2021 study published in the Annals of Psychiatry found that a lack of sleep can increase the chances of developing or worsening mental disorders, including bipolar disorder and psychosis.
Getting the recommended amount of sleep a night is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, along with proper nutrition and regular exercise. However, if you have a mental health condition like anxiety or depression, getting the sleep you need can be challenging. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re having trouble sleeping or have any other health concerns.
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