It was a time when people were only focused on physical health. They used to think that it would be great if someone looked physically fit. Their body structure and energy level were only a matter of concern. But today the scenario has been changed. Now, people think about their mental health too. In the realm of healthcare, mental health, and physical health are now treated equally. The healthcare professional, says mental health set the basis for physical health. They are two facets of health that are intertwined with each other. In this article, we are going to set a comparison of mental health with physical health.
How Mental Health Shapes the Image of Oneself
Physical health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual. It includes doing proper physical exercise, having a balanced diet, and sleeping 7 to 9 hours daily on average (for adults). Maintaining physical health is not merely abstaining oneself from disease or any infirmity, it is maintaining wellness. In comparison to this mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual is productive and restrained from any stress or tension.
They are able to realize their own ability and can easily cope with the stress or any mental tension. It includes regulating one’s emotions, skills like decision-making and memory function, how well an individual is able to maintain relationships, and how an individual sees themselves. Now, we can clearly say that Mental health is a part of physical health. If an individual makes an effort to maintain physical health it ultimately helps them to maintain mental health.
There Is Some Interconnectedness Seen In The Physical Health And Mental Health. It Includes:
1) Biological Link:
There is a biological link between mental and physical health, it is said if a person consumes a healthy diet or does daily exercise it will impact our mental health positively. And if one faces challenges and chronic stress too much it will directly impact the physical health of that individual. They might have heart disease, chronic headaches, hair fall, etc.
2) Lifestyle:
Lifestyle choices like eating nutritious food, and performing regular exercise have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of an individual. These lifestyle choices help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. These are the things one should adopt in the daily lifestyle in indeed help to maintain well being of an individual mentally and physically.
3) Chronic Conditions:
Chronic health conditions impact the physical and mental condition of the person. For example- If a person is suffering from a deadly disease like
Cancer impacts physical health with mental health. The person may go through stress and depression and also some physical changes like losing weight, a pale body, losing appetite, and weakness all over the body. Even when the patient seeks treatment, the doctor primarily focuses on enhancing the mental health. They usually work to provide a hope to live which works as the motivation for the patient to live on.
4) Bodily symptoms:
The emotions we show and feel are usually manifested on our faces. If an individual feels happy he or she might show a happy face and show happy actions. Likewise, if anyone suffers from chronic stress, they might show changes in their work life and productivity.
The Prioritization Dilemma in Health Awareness
People consistently prioritize physical health without considering its interconnectedness with mental health, despite the existing link between the two. It is possible to see physical changes in a person, which makes it easier to administer care, carry out job, and diagnose illnesses. On the other hand, Mental health changes are not visible due to the absence of mental health knowledge.
A person will not be able to assess their own emotions in a way that they could work on it effectively. And also, it would be difficult for others to understand them and support them. However, knowledge of both is important to bring work-life balance to one’s life. It helps to maintain relationships as you will be able to understand the feelings and emotions of others as well as your own. By assessing your own feelings you can easily work on your development and this helps you in your academics, balancing health and wellbeing.
