The Relationship between Physical and Mental Health
That they are fundamentally linked? You would think this was a no-brainer, but many of us naturally notice and focus on just one and think of these as separate systems.
This simply is not the case.
The link between mental health and physical health is often misunderstood. They are often thought of as separate entities, but the two go hand in hand. The perceived disconnect between “mind” and “body” creates the misconception that mental illness is not a physical disease. In reality, mental health has a direct impact on your physical health.
Many of us are not aware of how common mental illness is. Did you know that about 1 in 5 Adults has a mental illness in any given year? Mental illness covers a wide area of problems, spanning from ones that affect mood, to those that affect thinking or behaviour.
A clear distinction is often made between ‘mind’ and ‘body’. But when considering mental health and physical health, the two should not be thought of as separate. Poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, poor mental health can negatively impact physical health, leading to an increased risk of some conditions. “The World Health Organization (WHO) defines: health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The WHO states that “there is no health without mental health.”
Nowhere is the relationship between mental and physical health more evident than in the area of chronic conditions. The associations between mental and physical health are:
- Poor mental health is a risk factor for chronic physical conditions.
- People with serious mental health conditions are at high risk of
experiencing chronic physical conditions. - People with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor
mental health
Understanding the links between mind and body is the first step in developing strategies to reduce the incidence of co-existing conditions and support those already living with mental wellness and chronic physical conditions.
Connecting the Mind and Body
So, you might be wondering, exactly how does my mental health affect my physical health? Well, poor mental health can affect your ability to make healthy decisions and fight off chronic diseases. What’s more, neglecting your mental health can lead to more serious health
complications such as:
Headaches / Migraines
Digestive Issues
Fatigue
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Asthma
Obesity
Gastrointestinal problems
Stress and trauma can also trigger autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriasis, rheumatic arthritis, and more.
Just taking care of your mind isn’t the best way to maintain or improve your mental health. Both mental and physical need to be addressed and tools explored in creating balance.
That’s where CLARITY CAN HELP.
Sometimes we notice physical health disrupters that we never experienced
before. In the “not knowing” phase, this creates, at base level…. anxiety, racing thoughts, ruminating, memory challenges, irritable mood, trouble falling asleep, indigestion, racing heart and other symptoms.
CLARITY at Trillium will help you get to the core of your personal disrupters. We will explore what your optimal mental and physical wellbeing can look like by working on the tools that make sense for you. Clarity supports you and your individual experiences with ways to help you get back on track, both physically and mentally, as one supports the other.
To learn more visit Clarity Counselling or call Trillium at 778-640-1119 to book a 20 minute consultation.