Mental and physical health are deeply correlated to one another; In fact, our mental health plays a large role in your overall well-being a lot more than you may think. We are here to provide you with insights as to how mental health affects your physical health as well as tips to incorporate into your routine to have a balanced life.
How Mental Health Affects Your Physical Health – And Vice Versa
It is so important to be proactive in prioritizing your well-being and finding a life balance. According to WebMD, “A study found that positive psychological well-being can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes.” Neglecting your mental health can also lead to other serious physical health issues (Anne Oberheu, Blue Cross Blue Shield).
These health complications include:
- High blood pressure
- Chronic diseases
- Obesity
- Weakened immune system
- Chronic fatigue and insomnia and more
One way to actively combat the negative effects of depression and anxiety is to see a professional counselor (Anne Oberheu, Blue Cross Blue Shield) and get physical activity in on a weekly basis at the same time. Keep reading to learn about our tips for how to take care of yourself.
Tips on How to Put Your Health First
- Exercise, Exercise, Exercise – By this, we mean do not only take a 10-minute walk every day. Getting cardio into your schedule is so important for your mental and physical health. We recommend getting 30 minutes of cardio in for 5 days a week. This allows your endorphins to release and your cardiovascular system to work with efficiency. The benefits of getting exercise include:
- Decreasing your stress and anxiety
- Boosting your mood
- And enhancing your overall psychological health
- Eat The Right Nutrients For You – Be sure to schedule your 3 meals a day, and lots of water and healthy snacks. Our rule of thumb is to ensure that you are eating foods that are high in nutrients such as fiber, proteins, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and more. Incorporating veggies, fruits, meats, grains, seeds into your meals is a great starting point.
- Get 7-9 Hours Of Sleep Every Night – Consistent sleep is crucial to your well-being. We recommend getting into a night routine in which you go to bed around the same time every night to allow your body for great rest and rejuvenation.
- Have De-Stressing Techniques Always In Your Back Pocket – Some of our top recommendations when it comes to relaxation include doing yoga, meditation, and journaling things you are grateful for. It is totally fine to start small with these and just do 5-10 minutes a day and build up from there. It is beneficial to time block this into your schedule to hold yourself accountable to always follow through with prioritizing your mental health with these relaxation methods.
- Take Breaks From Work and Be Sure to Get Movement In – One trick to ensure we are getting movement in throughout the day is to set a timer for 1 hour with the goal of completing a specific task and then once your timer goes off, stand up and go on a brisk walk to clear your head and then dive into your next item on your to-do list.
We hope we were able to provide you with knowledge on how mental health affects your physical health as well as remedies on how to take good care of yourself. Learn more today about NorthStar Regional’s mental health care and treatment. Our professionally trained staff are here to assist you on your journey to healing and beyond!
Be sure to also check out the resources we have to offer at our new location in Otsego, MN.
Bibliography
Brennan, MD, WebMD Editorial Contributors, “How Does Mental Health Affect Physical Health”, 4/29/21.
Oberheu, Anne Marie, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC, “How Does Mental Health Affect Physical Health”, 5/3/29.
