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The Body's Emotions

The Effects of Mental Health on Your Body

By Ashlee :)Published 5 years ago 3 min read
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Emotional and mental health and well being is a subject that is becoming more discussed, but there is still a certain stigma around the subject and some people that doubt whether it really has that big of an affect on a person. As more research becomes available on mental health, it is becoming more clear that there are great affects when a person has poor mental health, just as it would be when someone has poor physical health. There has also been new proof that mental health can affect someone's physical health. All types of our health are interconnected and poor mental well being can often lead to physical side effects.

In "Emotional Health and Well-Being: Practical Mind Science" they make a point that our mind and mental health is connected with the hormones produced in our bodies, the immunity we may have against diseases and our recovery process from illness or injury. There has been proof that negative feeling and thoughts about an illness or recovery can increase the amount of time it may take to recover. Having negative thoughts about a treatment or recovery process produces hormones that may inhibit the way our body naturally recovers. Stress has also been linked to causing or exasperating physical problems. Stress and anxiety release a hormone that can cause a whole host of physical problems including increased blood pressure, lowered energy, poor or excess sleep, and lowered immune system function resulting in a greater chance of getting sick. When our mind is in poor health, our body reflects that. Feelings of stress or sadness or anxiety can often be overlooked, but it is clear that those problems need to be resolved to be sure one can perform to their full potential.

Other examples of how our mental health affects our physical health is how a positive and healthy mental attitude can create positive responses in our body. "Emotional Health and Well-Being" discusses "the 'gate control' theory of pain" which essentially says that many different sensations in our bodies are competing for attention and space in the brain, including pain when that is present. They suggest that focusing on more positive sensations can improve the pain, because our brain is less focused on them. One suggestion they give is laughing, laughing releases good hormones and if one is enjoying themselves, they will not be focusing on the pain. By creating a more positive mental state we are able to take our minds off the pain and lessen it in our minds. They also mention that trying to control our pain in such ways can give us a greater sense or control over our bodies, reducing feelings of anxiety or negative thoughts.

The Placebo effect is another instance where our mental state can impact our physical. Positive suggestions and expectations for a treatment has been proven to improve how that treatment may affect someone. As "Emotional Health and Well-Being" mentions:

"When we believe that a particular treatment will be beneficial, or when a physician seems confident and concerned, our bodies are more likely to respond favorably"

When our mind is convinced a treatment will be effective, our body is more accepting of the treatment and more prepared to heal. By taking a more positive approach to many aspects of our health, we will be in better health overall.

Uncontrollable factors of mental health like depression or anxiety can cause some of the negative effects discussed, which is why it is some important for everyone who may be dealing with it to understand how to handle it. Taking steps to improve mental health is critical to feeling your best, obviously mentally, but as well as physically.

Alcoe, J., & Gajewski, E. (2014). Emotional Health and Well-Being : Practical Mind Science. Dulles, VA: Mercury Learning & Information.

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About the Creator

Ashlee :)

I'm interested in too many things. Think of this as my brain dump.

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