How many times do you hear the term “mental health”? It seems we have this idea that our mental health is separate from our physical health, or that our mental health is a specific entity that somehow stands alone as its own “division” so to speak.
Here’s the thing, though. It is entirely connected to everything.
Everything about our mind and body is connected and interwoven into this concept of our “overall health” and “overall functioning.” When we think about giving support to our emotions, or mind, our thoughts, we need to consider how greatly this affects our physical attributes, as well as our ability to thrive and flourish in the ways we desire.
Think about when you have suffered from anxiety or depression. How does this affect your physical body? It affects your body in so many ways, right? You are tired, you may feel weak or have low energy, your appetite changes, you may have changes in your heart patterns and breathing patterns, you may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches, or your sleep may become disturbed. Some people can break out into a physical rash on their skin from higher levels of anxiety.
Now, think about when you are feeling good emotionally. Your mood is balanced, you feel confident, you feel whole. What happens, then? Well, our muscles actually feel stronger, we have more energy, we sleep better, we stand up straight when we walk, our heart beats easier, our food intake is more balanced, and we see and approach the world in a completely different way.
Mental and physical health are interwoven. It is a system that works together to influence the outcomes in your life, the steps you take along your journey, and the results you receive. Your overall health is vital to your existence, and when we support both our physical and mental health, we create a mind-body system that is equipped to succeed.
