Exercising often and maintaining a healthy diet can be a euphoric feeling. When people talk about being ‘healthy’ or ‘happy’, many may just refer to taking care of our physical health. However, we forget to understand the correlation between our mental health and physical health.

Besides just taking care of our physical health, taking care of our mental health is just as important. According to an article written by the Health Faculty at the University of Utah - by focusing on mental health, you can also improve your physical health, and the same is true in reverse.

The Physical and Mental Health Connection

The mind and the body work together to keep us healthy and going for the day. Research shows that individuals with good mental health are more likely to prevent physical health problems, and vice-versa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that “there is no health without mental health.” Understanding the links between our mental and physical health is crucial towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

For example: Individuals dealing with depression often experience physical symptoms which include loss of appetite, changes in sleep pattern, headaches or digestive issues. Adversely, poor physical health can also affect our mental health. Therefore, Mental Health is just as important as Physical Health. 

Tips to maintain your Mental and Physical Health

To keep yourself both happy and healthy, you need to ensure that both your physical and mental health are in good shape. There are a few ways as to how this goal can be attained:

Exercise

Physical Activity is a great way to keep yourself active and attain good physical health. A few minutes of cardio, or meditation and consistency can help keep your body active and ensure good physical health, which in turn helps with your mental well-being. 

Journaling

Before going to bed, take a few minutes to breathe and reflect on your day, which you can then write down in your journal. Writing serves as a medium to erase unwanted thoughts, which leaves us with a calm mind by the end of the day. 

Eat Well

Eating on time and maintaining a balanced diet, including a good intake of fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, fish, and water, leads to great impacts on both our mental and physical health by preventing numerous health conditions, such as depression or developmental issues. 

Spending time with loved ones

Playing board games with family members or having a conversation with close, trust-worthy friends can leave a positive impact on our mental health. For instance, reducing stress, preventing loneliness, and creating a sense of peace within ourselves. 

Talk to Professionals

If you have a mental health concern, it may be difficult to open up about it. Consulting with a professional can help you to openly discuss your mental health concerns and seek solutions which can improve both your mental and physical well-being. 

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Practicing to take care of both your mental and physical health may sound tedious in the beginning. However, with small steps and consistency, such practices will become a part of your daily life. Start small, take a journal and scribble down your thoughts and then move on to doing simple exercises. When we give both our mental and physical health the attention it deserves, we build stronger, healthier, and more balanced lives for ourselves and those around us.