The Relationship Between Physical & Mental Health

Written by Han at Wellness & Wander

Han is a fitness, wellbeing and mental health blogger based in south east England. Helping others live a healthy and happy life is the aim of Wellness & Wander, Han's blog, alongside Anxiety &...The Podcast which Han created in 2018.

You can follow Han on Twitter, Instagram & listen to her podcast here

It may seem like an obvious concept that physical and mental health are connected, however, when you hear the word ‘health’ what do you think of? Eating a salad? Going for a run? Spending hours in the gym? There is so much more to ‘health’ than what social media shows us and it is far more than just having abs. ‘Health’ and ‘fitness’ also relates to our minds, as well as our bodies.

In my personal experience, the way I treat my body has a definite correlation to how I feel mentally. For me; exercise improves my anxiety and depression. I thrive off the feeling of lifting heavy weights and it increases my confidence. Similarly, when I am eating more nutritiously-dense food and a balanced diet, I feel and see the difference - my skin becomes clearer and I feel less fatigued during the day. I see clear differences in my mental health when I exercise regularly and when I don’t so it has become a part of my daily routine.

I am a huge advocate when it comes to exercising for mental health as well as physical health, so much so that I am running the 2019 London Marathon on the official Samaritans team to fundraise for them.

Want to know how our bodies and brains are connected when it comes to health? Below are the ways exercise and nutrition affects our physical and mental health:

Exercise

Being active is linked with a number of health benefits; both mentally and physically. Dopamine, serotonin and endorphins are chemicals released in the brain during exercise resulting in increased motivation, less fatigue and a general increase in mood to name a few of the benefits. When we exercise it also gives us the feeling of being productive and can help to increase self-confidence and self-worth.

In 2010 it was recommended by the NHS that the average adult should be exercising between 75 and 150 minutes per week. In my experience, within the world of ‘fitspo’ and social media, the word ‘fitness’ is saturated with images of booty photos and questionable supplements, however, it doesn’t have to be like that. In order to exercise you need to be moving your body and you can do that in hundreds of different ways. For example, this could be walking the dog, swimming, yoga, rock climbing, workout DVDs or pole fitness. Finding something you enjoy and look forward to doing is the key to make sustainable changes and habits.

Nutrition

As well as moving more, in order to feel happy and healthy, you also need to be eating a balanced diet and be mindful of what you are putting into your body. We are made aware of how a poor diet can affect us physically, however it also affects us mentally which is not as widely spoken about.

What we put into our bodies will have an impact on how we feel physically, especially if you add intolerances into the mix. Foods with a high sugar content are absorbed quicker into the bloodstream causing a burst of energy which eventually wears off as quickly as it started, leaving you feeling sluggish. Sugar crashes can make mental health issues more prominent as a result of the lack of energy you are left with. This can mean a lack of motivation, lack of productivity, and a general ‘low’ feeling. We need fat in our diet and it is important for the brain to receive fatty acids such as omega-3 to keep it working healthily. Instead of avoiding all fats, we should be thinking about eating the right ones. Anything which lists ‘trans fats’ in the ingredients are tempting but this kind of fat is no good for your body or mind in the long run. That being said, everything in moderation is ok - just do what is best for you!

So, what should you eat? A balanced diet is something to strive for but there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to each individual – we all need different levels of nutrients so there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. As long as you are providing yourself with adequate complex carbohydrates, protein, essential fats, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and water will help you live a happy and healthy life.

Never forget the importance of your mind as well as your body when it comes to health and fitness. They are both so interconnected and both deserve the same care and thought.

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