7 Ways Your Physical Health Is Connected to Your Mental Health

Have you ever wondered how your physical well-being is related to and affected by your mental well-being, and vice versa? This blog post will explore this undeniable interrelationship and outline 7 different ways your physical health is linked to your mental health.

During the 17th century, the mind and body were viewed as separate entities operating within two separate systems and treated within a medical model without an emphasis on mental wellness. Recently, there has been a resurgence in the importance of emotional health and the mind-body connection has been shown to be an important component to a person's overall health and well-being.

The World Health Organization states that "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Let's explore this concept by identifying 7 ways that physical health is linked to mental health. As you read each category, think about whether your mind-body connection is either negatively impacting your life or enhancing your well-being.

Nutrition

Food intake is one of the most important mind-body connections and is also a necessity for our survival. According to Dietitians of Canada, "the food we eat is associated with our mood, behavior, and cognition" and is therefore intertwined with our overall mental well-being. There are many factors that can contribute to poor or inadequate diets and as a result, can cause long-term detriments to both the physical and mental well-being of an individual. 

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More facts linking nutrition to mental health:

Increased intake of processed foods may be increasing the prevalence of mental health diagnoses including depression.

Food insecurity or scarcity may lead to increased stress and has been shown to be linked to anxiety and depression.

Studies have shown deficiencies in micronutrients & Omega 3 fatty acids to increase the risk of depression; low intake of fish, fruits, and vegetables to elevate the risk of depression; proper nutrition may mitigate symptoms of depression; a suggestion of further study into how proper nutrition may negate follow-through of suicidal ideation.

Tip: Consider speaking with a nutritionist about your own dietary habits and how they are currently impacting on your mental well-being. Co-create a nutritional plan that will fit in your budget and serve to increase your overall health.

Hydration

Water is also a necessary component of everyday life, and it is common knowledge that an individual is required to hydrate in order to sustain life. However, the link between hydration and mental health is less well-known in society. According to the University of Connecticut's Human Performance Laboratory, "Even mild dehydration can alter a person’s mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly". How do you feel when you haven't had enough to drink throughout the day?

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Some more facts linking hydration to mental health:

• Lack of water can reduce cognitive abilities such as concentration, short-term memory, and alertness.
• A study on the effects of dehydration showed that mild dehydration was connected to significant elevations of subjective mood scores, including fatigue, confusion, anger, and vigor.
• Dehydration may also play a role in the experience of delirium (mental confusion) in the elderly.

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Created on Feb 21st 2019 05:36. Viewed 1,273 times.

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