Poor Mental Health’s Effects On Physical Health

It feels like we spend more time at our workplace than we do at home, and sometimes that’s really the case! It can be a drain on our physical health and, perhaps even more critically, our mental health. Sitting at a desk all day is bad enough, but couple that with the stress and anxiety, our jobs can instill in us, and you have a recipe for disaster!

Fortunately, many forward-thinking businesses have come to realize this and are doing something about it by setting up onsite health monitoring programs to help their employees work and feel their greatest throughout their busy days.

Even with support available, sometimes things just get to be too much; problems at work and home and all the ills of modern society can exact a heavy toll on us. Research has now demonstrated that there is a very clear line between mental health and physical health; one affects the other in more ways than we had previously considered. Traditionally it was known that a physical health problem could cause symptoms like depression and anxiety, but now we also know it can go the other way around, too! If your mental health is suffering, it can have a direct effect on the health of your body as well! Let’s take a look at some examples:

Weakened Immune System

Stress without proper relief causes our bodies to release a hormone called cortisol that can weaken our immune systems, making us more susceptible to a host of physical ailments such as bacterial and viral infections and chronic diseases.

Mental health problems have become so serious and all-pervading that even world governments are getting in on the act and trying to help!

Digestive Problems

We often feel strong emotions will upset our stomachs; well, it’s not just our imaginations! Anxiety and stress can spell big trouble for your digestive system, causing inflammation, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS- if you’ve never had it, you don’t want to!)

Headaches and Migraines

If you frequently suffer from these, there’s a very good chance your negative emotional state is behind it all. Depression, anxiety, and stress can trigger headaches and migraines, and the latter can be so serious they can have a debilitating effect on the sufferer’s daily life!

Sleep Disruption

Problems with your mental health often interfere with your sleep, which can very much ruin your day! A proper amount of sleep has been proven to be vital to both our mental and physical health. If insomnia or disruptions in your sleep are happening to you regularly, your mental state is very likely behind it.

Skin Problems

As the eyes are the mirrors to our soul, so is the skin the mirror to our overall health. Stress and anxiety can cause a variety of skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, and even acne (do you remember being sixteen?).

Our mental health is important, so make sure to get proper care for your body and your mind!