This post will be discussing how metal health is connected with physical health and how you can improve your general wellbeing. Links will be posted throughout this article for you to conduct further research if you wish to do so. I am not a professional and am simply using my voice to raise awareness for mental illnesses and help to erase the stigmas that come with mental health issues.
Physical and mental health are important when it comes to living a healthy life. You can't have a poor mental health without your physical health being impacted and visa versa. Both rely so heavily on each other and will determine your overall experience with life. When I first began seeing a mental health professional at age 11, I had to go through physical exams to look at my development and growth. I thought this was a little stage as I associated things like my weight, how often I got ill, and energy levels, with my physical health. Most people don't actually realise that these things go hand in hand. Everyone has a mental and physical health. You can have a good mental health and have a mental illness, OR, a poor mental health and no mental illness! The same goes for physical health.
The diagram below is helpful when it comes to understanding this.
Diagram:
So what can be done to improve your mental health?
This brings me to an idea I was told about when I was about 15. The foundations of health. Exercise, Sleep, Food. These three things may sound like physical health related topics, but this is where the connection between two is made very clear. These things are important for both mental and physical health, hence the name 'foundations of health'.
You should be exercising for at minimum of 30 minutes everyday. Preferably outdoors. As well as this you will also need to be getting the correct amount of sleep for your age and gender. For more information about sleep recommendations visit this site: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/excessive-sleepiness/support/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need . In addition to the right amount of exercise and sleep you need to make sure that you are eating food that is good for you.
These foundations are also interconnected. This means that one will effect the other and you can't have one without the others. By eating the right foods you will have enough energy to exercise and, by exercising you will become tired enough for a good nights rest. But without eating the right food you won't have the energy to exercise, you can become fatigued during the day, and as a result will be up all night. One thing that is out of balance and your whole body will be thrown off. This will then effect you mentally.
You may notice that when you don't go outside for a day or two, you feel more run down and depressed. This is because you are not getting the endorphins and dopamine that relieve that 'feel good' emotion. Same happens when you binge a lot of junk food rather than eating a healthy meal. And I'm sure we all know how crappy it is to not have enough sleep. Obviously you will still be depressed if you eat a salad and go for a run. Im not saying these are the be all and end all of mental health issues, but they do impact it more than you may think.
These things will not get easier overnight and your body can even feel worse when you try to correct these habits, but it can help a lot in the long run. If you are having any issues with sleep, eating, or exercise, it may be best to seek further support.
Issues with exercise and eating can be related to eating disorders, for more information about this please use the following links:
Issues with sleep can be related to a sleep disorder, for more information about this please use the following links:
I hope that you found this to be informative and helpful. Check out my instagram @diaryofapsycho1 for regular updates and other things from me.
Have an amazing day and keep smiling.
Jen xx
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