Considering the body of research addressing this subject, it’s pretty clear, now, that there is indeed a living link between mental and physical health.
But it wasn’t always that way. Historically, both concepts have been treated as entirely separate. That’s why, in practice today, physical illnesses are treated by physicians, and mental illnesses are left to psychologists.
Thankfully, that forced distinction is being phased out. In this article in The Guardian by Edward Bullmore, a psychiatry professor at the University of Cambridge, a lot is said about why it’s important to pay attention to the strong link between mental and physical health.
Take schizophrenia, a mental illness, as an example. At first, the prevailing theory was that it happened randomly. Then, it was discovered that it runs in families. Now, it’s been discovered that certain individual genes significantly increase the risk; for example, children born in winter months in high-risk families can be more exposed to viral infections that disrupt the development of the brain during childhood and adolescence.
Perhaps that’s delving too deep into the science of the connection. The link is actually quite simple, and you probably feel the effects of this connection every day.
Think of your mind and body as constant chatterboxes in an endless conversation. Your thoughts influence your physical state, and your physical condition affects your mental well-being.
It’s why you feel your stomach churn before a big presentation and why feeling optimistic when you have a pounding headache is like trying to clap with a single hand.
This isn’t a new-age philosophy—it’s biology. When stressed, your body releases cortisol, which affects everything from your digestion to your immune system.
When you exercise, your brain pumps out feel-good chemicals like endorphins and serotonin. It is essentially a two-way street where traffic never stops.
Let’s explore the connection in more detail. The goal here is to help you see that health in the balanced sense that the WHO describes means paying attention to both the mind and the body.
3 Ways Your Mental Health Impacts Your Physical Well-being
Sleep Quality
Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and PTSD negatively influence your sleep architecture, either by making you sleep too much or too little.
Whatever the case, a wrong sleep pattern can affect physical health, the immune system, metabolism, and the body’s ability to repair itself.
Eating Habits
Emotional eating causes people to turn to food to self-soothe and get distracted. This, in turn, leads to more consumption of high-fat and sweetened food, neither of which is good for physical health.
Anxiety and depression either suppress your appetite or drive you to overeat, and that leads to nutritional imbalances that affect your physical health.
There’s a reason why the gut (our gastrointestinal system) and the brain are so connected. What we feel affects what we eat.
In emerging fields like nutritional psychiatry, diets (like the Mediterranean diet) form part of the treatment regimen for conditions like depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
Physical Activity
When your mental health takes a hit, your motivation to move often follows suit. This creates a cycle where reduced physical activity further impacts your mood, and the downward spiral continues.
3 Ways Your Physical Health Influences Your Mental State
Energy Levels
Your physical condition directly affects your mental energy.
A well-nourished, properly rested body is better primed for mental clarity and emotional resilience. You’ve probably noticed you handle challenges better when you feel good in your skin.
Hormone Balance
Physical health issues can disrupt your hormonal balance, leading to mood swings, anxiety, and depression. It’s not just in your head—it’s in your endocrine system.
Pain and Discomfort
Chronic physical pain doesn’t just hurt your body—it can lead to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, creating a complex web of physical and emotional symptoms. Depression affects approximately 10% of cancer patients.
How to Improve The Mind-Body Balance
Move with Meaning
Don’t exercise just to burn calories. Choose activities that bring you joy and mental peace. Dancing, hiking, gentle yoga movements, or anything else that works for you can help.
Practice Mindful Eating
Pay attention to how different foods affect both your physical and mental state. That sugar rush from junk food might feel good momentarily, but the crash affects your body and mood.
Prioritize good sleep
Sleep as if your mental and physical health depends on it. Create a bedtime routine that calms both mind and body.
Manage Your Stress Level
Find stress-relief techniques that work for both your mind and body. Deep breathing exercises, for example, calm your thoughts while lowering your blood pressure.
Do Regular Check-ups
Include both physical and mental health screenings in your healthcare routine. One often provides clues about the other.
Wrap Up
Honor your mental and physical needs. You won’t achieve balance until that happens.
You’re not just a mind floating through space or a body moving through time—you’re beautifully connected and wonderfully complex.
If you need help addressing any mental health issue, try consulting a professional. After a free 15-minute consultation, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Bradford.
About the author: Dr. Bradford Stucki is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adults in Utah, Virginia, and Texas who have experienced trauma in their childhoods or trauma as an adult. Dr. Stucki also has expertise in treating anxiety, and relationship problems. Dr. Stucki has specialized training in working with PTSD as well as couples issues. His private practice, BridgeHope Family Therapy is in Provo, Utah.
