Along with having an inefficient diet, level of physical activity or sleeping schedule, there are many other factors to blame for a negative state of mental health. Some of these factors include:

• Social isolation
• Social disadvantages
• Unemployment
• Significant trauma
• Loss or bereavement
• Relationship problems
• Genetics
• Substance abuse

Due to these mentioned influences, it is very common for an individual to develop complications regarding their mental and, eventually, physical health. However, there are many ways outside of diet, exercise and sleep that will largely improve one’s mental state. Here are some examples:

• Build positive relationships with others:
  • Spend time with those you love
  • Look into peer support
  • Join a group with common interests
  • Volunteer
  • Surround yourself with positive, encouraging people

• Make time for yourself and the things you like to do:
  • Learn new things
  • Participate in activities that you enjoy

• Avoid usage of alcohol or drugs
• Set goals regarding personal, physical, professional or academic achievements
• Value yourself:
  • Respect your mind and body
  • Avoid self criticism
  • Acknowledge your accomplishments

 

The mental health of an individual can be in either a positive or a negative state. Here are some of the signs associated with each type of mental state:

Positive mental well-being indicators	Negative mental well-being indicators
Consistent in behavior Social (but can still spend time alone in an enjoyable manner) Capable of accepting criticism Capable of expressing emotions and ideas Sense of gratitude	Change in personality Social isolation or withdrawal Mood swings/changes Risky (and out of character) behavior Loss of appetite Illogical Anxiety or constant feeling of nervousness Higher levels of sensitivity Concentration troubles Less participation in school, work and other important activities Difficulty sleeping Substance abuse

These are just a few of the many indicators used to determine the mental well-being of an individual. As you can see, I listed a larger amount of indicators relating to a negative state of mind. This is because I find it extremely important to be able to recognize mental health issues among either yourself or those around you. If mental health conditions are not treated or acknowledged quickly, it could have long lasting impacts on one’s physical health as well.

Many people do not understand the direct link between mental and physical health. Issues relating to mental well-being are more common than expected and often hinder the body’s ability to fight off diseases, especially those that are chronic, as well as one’s ability to make healthy lifestyle decisions.

A substandard state of mental health can result in many other health conditions including:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Weakened immune system
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Gastronomical complications
• Insomnia

The issues mentioned above are only a few of the many complications associated with a neglected mental health. As you can see, mental state has a large impact on one’s physical health.

As mentioned in a previous post, ways to establish a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically, directly relate to diet, sleep, and exercise, the other main topics discussed within this site. For more information on these subjects, please look into the categorized posts in other sections of my blog.

Many people question how the roles of the mind and the body interrelate. In most cases, the mind is considered the source of thought and other mental processes. Meanwhile, the body refers to how you respond and function physically. We often wonder is the mind a part of the body? or is it the other way around?

There are two common theories that attempt to explain the relationship between the body and the mind:

Monism	Dualism
Monism looks at the mind and body as a whole. It focuses on the importance of physical and mental interaction within the health of an individual.	Dualism offers a different perspective of the relationship between the mind and body. In this philosophy, these two entities are considered separate. The body is responsible for physical processes whereas the mind is responsible for mental processes.

Personally, I can understand the concepts of both monism and dualism. I agree with Dualism in the sense that the mind is responsible for mental processes and the body displays and responds to physical processes and changes. However, monism explains the connections and relationships among the mind and the body in a deeper sense, and without one of these components, the other wouldn’t be able to function properly. Therefore, monism and dualism offer different perspectives towards the roles of the mind and body as well as mental and physical health.

Poor physical health has been linked to the development of mental health conditions and vice versa.

Factors on individual’s lifestyles impact one’s physical and mental health. Some of these factors include:

• Diet: Diet is a significant component of physical health. You can read more about this factor in another section of this site. In addition to the body, diet impacts the mind as well. The food you eat, particularly the nutrition included in it, plays a large role in the development of the mind and the prevention of negative health conditions.
• Exercise: Remaining active is a large part of physical health. So large that it makes up its own section on this site. However, many people don’t realize the importance of physical activity regarding mental health. Exercise circulates and releases many hormones that influence important bodily processes. For example, endorphins are distributed through the brain during physical activity. Endorphins are commonly referred to as “feel good chemicals” as they provide the individuals with mental alertness and a positive state of mind. Furthermore, the expenditure of energy through exercise has been linked to decreased levels of stress and anxiety among people as well.
• Inefficient sleeping schedule

Most issues associated with mental well being and physical health are chronic, meaning they occur or persist for a long period of time. Reducing risk factors associated with mental and physical health, including diet, exercise and sleeping patterns, will prevent the development of these chronic conditions.

 

Although this blog primarily focuses on the importance of physical health among individuals, mental health plays a large role in the lifestyles of people as well. Mental and physical health go hand in hand, impacting one another in many ways that people don’t necessarily realize. People often distinct and separate the mind and the body nevertheless this should not be the case.