It’s no secret that societal health has been on a downward trend in recent years. Harvard Health statistics show that the average life expectancy in the United States has dropped to 76 years. Just a few years ago, in 2019, the average life expectancy was 79 years. This alarming trend has caused many to speculate about what’s having such a negative impact on physical health.
Many studies consider things like diet, illicit substance use, and accidental injuries. But it’s important not to forget how crucial mental health is to physical wellness. Our communities are facing mental health crises that aren’t getting the attention they deserve. If you want to boost your physical health, you might start by addressing the state of your psyche. Here’s how mental health therapy improves physical wellness through the proven mind-body connection.
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The Connection Between Mental and Physical Health
If you’re struggling with mental wellness, getting therapy online or in person is just as important as getting physical therapy for a bodily injury. In fact, leaving mental illness untreated can lead to very real physical health repercussions. Research reveals the powerful relationship between mental and physical health by linking depression and anxiety to chronic illnesses like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and compromised immune function.
If you want to live a full, healthy, and energetic life, it’s not enough to just eat right and exercise. You must also pay close attention to your mental state and take steps to address depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. A synergistic focus on both your mind and body can help you thrive and maximize your longevity.
How Mental Health Therapy Improves Physical Wellness
Putting your mental health first may give you the confidence, energy, and desire to maximize your physical wellness. Talking with a therapist can help you identify and address why you feel and behave the way you do. It can also give you tools to face and overcome the effects of past traumas so you can move on with greater power and confidence. Here are some of the specific ways mental health therapy can improve physical wellness:
Improved Sleep
Do you struggle to get the quantity or quality of sleep your body needs each night? Whether you experience insomnia, sleepwalking, frequent waking, or any other disruptive sleep pattern, your mind and body both suffer. Chronic sleep deprivation can compromise your immune system and cause you to get sick more frequently. It can also lead to increasing anxiety, depression, and burnout.
There may not be an easy “cure” for your sleeping problems. However, a therapist may be able to help you identify underlying mental wellness issues contributing to your sleep aversion. According to a Stanford Medicine article, people with insomnia are 17 times more likely to have anxiety. They’re also 10 times more likely to be depressed than the general population. A therapist can teach you techniques to help calm your mind and body and prepare yourself for a restful night of sleep.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are typically considered mental health issues, but they can have a profound impact on physical wellness. When your body constantly operates in a “fight, flight, or freeze” mode, it’s only a matter of time before you feel the physical repercussions. Chronically elevated stress hormones can lead to fatigue, headaches, mood swings, insomnia, and more.
Anxiety counseling can teach you stress-reduction techniques that minimize the impact of stress on both the mind and body. Your therapist may walk you through mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or deep breathing exercises. They’ll also give you the tools you need to identify and reduce unnecessary stressors in your life.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Your cardiovascular health is closely linked to your mental wellness. That’s why people with ongoing mental health problems have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders can negatively impact the blood vessels and heart. If you continue living in a high-stress state, you could end up suffering from a stroke or heart attack at some point.
Talking with a therapist about unresolved emotional issues can be deeply healing to both your mind and body. It can decrease stress-related blood-pressure issues and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other heart issues. Many people are surprised to discover just how relieving it can be to open up about their past hurts and traumas to a trained professional.
Easier Weight Loss
Do you struggle to lose weight, no matter how many diets or workout programs you try? It could be that your physical body won’t let go of the excess weight because of a past trauma. Depending on the nature of the trauma, your mind may see excess weight as a form of comfort and safety. Victims of sexual abuse, for example, often subconsciously make themselves less attractive so they’re unlikely to become a target again.
If you suspect past traumatic experiences may be contributing to your obesity and associated health problems, therapy can be deeply healing. A skilled therapist can compassionately help you identify past traumas that might be keeping you from achieving or maintaining a healthy weight. Then, they can offer various therapeutic techniques, such as exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, to help you heal and live your best, healthiest life.
Conclusion
Focusing only on physical health is like putting together only one half of a puzzle. Your mental wellness is integrally connected with your physical wellness. Seeing a therapist may be the first step toward improving your overall well-being and living a more fulfilling, vigorous life.
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