Mental health and physical health have commonly been considered two entirely different and separate things. However, the two are very closely related in many different ways. At the broadest level, poor mental health negatively impacts one’s physical health and poor physical health may negatively impact one’s mental health. However, positive physical health promotes improvements in mental health and vice-versa. Many factors contribute to both one’s physical health and mental health; however, the benefits, or consequences, one has on the other are significant.
The Bad:
Compared to populations who do not experience mental health issues, those who do are more likely to engage in physically unhealthy behaviors, habits and practices including a lack of exercise, unhealthy nutrition, smoking and other substance use, poor sleeping patterns, and are less likely to regularly see healthcare providers. These behaviors, associated with mental health issues, contribute to increased rates of heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, accidents, diabetes and other medical issues that may ultimately cause premature death (Vreeland 2007).
Physical health conditions, including chronic pain, allergies, lung and heart disease, migraines and other common physical ailments and diseases were found to be associated with higher rates of anxiety disorders (El-Gabalawy et al. 2011). Additionally, symptoms of depression, including loss of interest, motivation and energy, fatigue, low self-worth and confidence, typically results in reduced physical activity and exercise, contributing to an increase in physical health issues (Knapen et al. 2015).
The Good:
Fortunately, the opposite is also true including for those with severe mental health issues. Studies have found that those who engage in physically healthier behaviors, such as increasing physical activity, abstaining from smoking, and eating a healthier diet can prevent or reduce many of the physical health and mental health consequences that would be associated with engaging in the opposite behaviors (Vreeland 2007). Increased physical activity has been found to promote better mental and physical health, which then contributes to increased physical activity (Ohrmberger, Fichera & Sutton 2017).
Kandola et al.’s 2018 research found that physical activity can reduce and prevent symptoms of anxiety and depression. Knapen et al.’s 2015 research found several benefits of physical exercise on symptoms of depression. They reported that exercise may reduce symptoms of mild to severe symptoms of depression and assists improving one’s physical health, body-image and provides individuals with an effective coping strategy to manage stress. Scott et al.’s 2021 research identified significant improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress when one’s quality of sleep was improved.
Mental and physical health, for better or for worse, are intertwined and affect us in a very cyclical nature. Positive physical health and mental health promote more positive physical and mental health while negative physical health and mental health promote worsening physical and mental health. However, as research has pointed out, this cycle can be changed. Although we may be in a cycle of negative mental and physical health, by changing our habits and behaviors, we can become physically and mentally healthier. For support around changing our habits to better support our needs, click here.
Works Cited:
El-Gabalawy, R., Mackenzie, C. S., Shooshtari, S., & Sareen, J. (2011). Comorbid physical health conditions and anxiety disorders: a population-based exploration of prevalence and health outcomes among older adults. General hospital psychiatry, 33(6), 556-564.
Kandola, A., Vancampfort, D., Herring, M., Rebar, A., Hallgren, M., Firth, J., & Stubbs, B. (2018). Moving to beat anxiety: epidemiology and therapeutic issues with physical activity for anxiety. Current psychiatry reports, 20(8), 1-9.Kandola, A., Vancampfort, D., Herring, M., Rebar, A., Hallgren, M., Firth, J., & Stubbs, B. (2018). Moving to beat anxiety: epidemiology and therapeutic issues with physical activity for anxiety. Current psychiatry reports, 20(8), 1-9.
Knapen, J., Vancampfort, D., Moriën, Y., & Marchal, Y. (2015). Exercise therapy improves both mental and physical health in patients with major depression. Disability and rehabilitation, 37(16), 1490-1495.
Ohrnberger J, Fichera E, Sutton M. The relationship between physical and mental health: A mediation analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2017 Dec;195:42-49. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.11.008. Epub 2017 Nov 8. PMID: 29132081.
Scott, A. J., Webb, T. L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep medicine reviews, 60, 101556.
Vreeland, B. (2007). Bridging the gap between mental and physical health: a multidisciplinary approach. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(suppl 4), 2124.