The Connection Between Mental and Physical Health

You’ve been taught the importance of good health, but you might not know how the health of all aspects of your body work together. The truth is, there is a proven correlation between the health of the body and the health of the brain, and it should not be overlooked. Below, an experienced wellness coach in Phoenix, AZ examines the connection between mental health and physical health to help you get a better understanding.

The connection

Mental health and physical health are linked—you need to keep up with both if you are to be of sound mind and maintain a strong body. But why is this? As far as the connection between mental health and chronic physical pain and conditions is concerned, professionals from a range of medical backgrounds will tell you that they go hand in hand to impact your quality of life. Poor mental health can lead to chronic physical conditions, individuals with serious mental health conditions are at greater risk of living with chronic physical conditions and chronic physical conditions may lead to the development of poor mental health.

But what are the main causes of poor mental and physical health? At the top of the list is a lack of physical activity and access to nutritious foods. Many families are not able to afford healthy foods, meaning kids go to school hungry, they can’t concentrate in class and are too tired or weak to play outside during breaks. Meanwhile, the adults go to work without lunch. Lacking proper nutrition can lead to a big deficit in weekly physical exercise.

Lifestyle factors

There are a few main lifestyle factors that can influence both your physical and mental health. Here are the things that play a role in the overall state of your mind and body:

• Exercise: Physical activity is the key to keeping physically healthy. And wouldn’t you know it, it’s a great way to improve your mental wellbeing, too! When you exercise your brain gets feel-good chemicals called endorphins. All you need is 10 to 30 minutes a day of fast-paced walking to improve your mental alertness, mood and energy. But any physical activity has benefits, whether it’s gardening, running, playing with the dog or cycling.
• Diet: Good nutrition is important for a healthy body and mind. A balanced diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, adequate sources of protein, healthy carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and plenty of water. Just keep in mind that the food you put into your body can influence the management, development and prevention of a number of mental health conditions, including depression and Alzheimer’s.
• Smoking: Smoking tobacco negatively impacts both your physical and mental health. The problem here is that many people with mental health conditions truly believe that smoking relieves their symptoms, if only for the short term. The fact is that individuals with depression are twice as likely to smoke, and people with schizophrenia are three times more likely.

If you would like to speak to a professional wellness coach in Phoenix, AZ about how to keep your body at its best, don’t hesitate to contact Pamela Young Fitness anytime!

Categorised in: Wellness Coach