Recognizing the Relationship Between Physical and Mental Health

There is often a struggle to find the balance between physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing. We sometimes talk about our minds and bodies like they are two separate entities when in reality, they go hand-in-hand.  An upkeep in your physical health can help elevate your mental wellness. Maintaining good mental health can allow you to do more for yourself physically. It is important to be able to recognize the difference between sustaining physical health and preserving mental wellbeing.

Where do mental and physical health correlate?

There is a lot of talk in popular media about what mental health is and it can be problematic to try and epitomize it in a few words. The World Health Organization defines it as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.  This definition implies that to successfully attain mental wellbeing, we need to look beyond just the lack of mental health problems. Our mental health is an integral and essential part of what makes us human. It allows us to think, feel, and interact with the world around us in order to live an enjoyable life. Mental health problems are common and can be treated, so if you think you could be suffering from a mental health issue, be sure to contact a mental health professional.

In maintaining physical health, we consider the individual abilities to maintain a quality of life that paves the way to being the best you possible. Having good physical health is important for an overall wellbeing. Good sleeping habits, healthy eating choices, physical exercise, adequate water intake, and avoiding the use of harmful substances such as drugs or alcohol all contribute to achieving physical wellbeing. This isn’t to downplay the importance of basic needs such as regular bathing, brushing your teeth, or washing your hands before and after eating. Those tasks are just as significant to an overall sense of wellbeing as the others are.

When you are feeling under the weather, it may become debilitating to try and maintain any form of physical health. When our brain chemicals betray us, we are often left feeling overwhelmed with the basic tasks of regular life. That is why it is so important to keep up with your mental health. Talking to friends or writing in a journal are two healthy methods you can try to give yourself some release. But achieving mental health is about a lot more than keeping depression at bay or taking a break to breathe. Poor mental health could come from an overload of stress, exposure to traumatic events, or even familial genetics. Sometimes it can be a combination of several things. In such cases, it becomes more necessary to implement several healthy practices to improve both mental and physical health.

Environmental wellness

Financial wellness

Occupational wellness

Emotional wellness

Social wellness

Spiritual wellness

Intellectual wellness

• Finding yourself in each of these wellness dimensions may take some time and will likely vary in degrees of involvement or dedication depending on your unique individual needs. Attention to the dimensions may provide you with a more holistic approach to reconnecting to yourself in sound mind and health. 

Let Virtual EMDR help you

If you are struggling to juggle all the pieces that are required for a balanced lifestyle, you can now try Virtual EMDR for three days free of charge. Virtual EMDR is a self-guided form of therapy that can be done from anywhere at any time along with your regular self-care routine. Virtual EMDR works with you to discover the root causes of your problems. It provides you the opportunity to reprocess memories and deep core values in order to empower you to overcome your negative thoughts and beliefs.

Dr. JDJ, MD was an ER doctor for 15 years and speaks about his traumatic experiences with guided therapy. He says:

“Some of my trauma came from therapists!  I am completely phobic about therapy, so being able to do EMDR without a therapist is a gift. No judgement, no wondering about whose stuff we are talking about, no manipulation.”

Alfred Green, who has been working on negative thoughts and abandonment issues talks about how Virtual EMDR worked with him. He says:

“I was abusing, scaring, and abandoning myself daily. It was all I knew.

I have used traditional EMDR therapy. I have had a half dozen counsellors and therapists in my adult life, but ended up either abandoning the therapist, or not staying due to lack of finances. 

Virtual EMDR allows me the CHOICE of using it. Nothing forced. I can if I want, I won't if I'm unable or unwilling. It's priceless. I am grateful I have this choice today.”

Try Virtual EMDR today to see how it can help you achieve the balance you hope to embody.

Start your FREE trial today.

Sources:

Australian Government- Department of Health . (2006). Physical health. Department of Health | Physical health. https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-pubs-p-mono-toc~mental-pubs-p-mono-bas~mental-pubs-p-mono-bas-alt~mental-pubs-p-mono-bas-alt-phy.

Menke, J. (2019, September 3). Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Student Health and Counseling Services. https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/health-and-wellness/eight-dimensions-wellness.

World Health Organization. (2018, March 18). Mental health: strengthening our response. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response.