Saikiran Bomma Explains Why Physical and Mental Health are Equally Important and How They Are Connected

Physical and mental health should be considered an intertwined unit rather than two separate concepts with no middle ground. Physical and mental health affect one another both from positive and negative perspectives. If your physical health is poor, your mental health may suffer and vice versa.

There are scientific connections between physical and mental health that should not be overlooked. Saikiran Bomma, a recent Biological Anthropology graduate from Connecticut, explains how physical and mental health are connected and why they are equally important for a balanced life.

The Importance of Physical Health

People frequently neglect their physical health because they feel discouraged about maintaining healthy habits like eating right, exercising, and cutting back on substance use. People may feel that they have stressful lives and deserve to comfort themselves with emotional crutches like food. Many people also feel that they are too busy to institute a healthy exercise routine.

However, everyone should pay closer attention to their physical health. The body works best when all of its parts are healthy, from the heart and cardiovascular system to the bones and muscles.

Eat a Proper Diet

One of the best ways to promote overall physical health is to eat a proper diet. Reducing the amount of fast food and other convenience foods that you eat can benefit the condition of your heart and your metabolism. Too much fat and salt can encourage heart disease, while too many carbohydrates and refined sugars can cause insulin resistance and lead to Type 2 diabetes.

Exercise

Exercise builds cardiovascular health and endurance. It can help prevent and, in some cases, even reverse obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Everyone should get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. This exercise doesn’t have to be all at once; you can also work it in during small periods when you take the stairs instead of the elevator or take brisk walks around the block.

Keep Up with Preventive Healthcare

At least once a year, see your primary care provider for a comprehensive physical with blood work. This can help to spot incipient medical problems before they cause major issues. High blood pressure, diabetes, and various kinds of cancer are all conditions that doctors screen for during annual exams.

Mental Health

Promoting mental health can be a delicate balancing act. Many of the same recommendations that are good for your physical health can impact your mental health for the better.

Many studies draw strong connections between physical and mental health. Exercise is particularly helpful for mental health. A study covering schizophrenia and other serious mental health disorders found that physical activity reduced symptoms.

Heart disease is a particular area of concern for people living with mental illness. It is thought that depression and other mental health problems are associated with low-level inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation can cause the narrowing of blood vessels and the buildup of calcium. This means that blood pressure is raised, resulting in more stress on the heart and blood vessels. Another possible result of this problem is an increased risk of stroke.

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and meditation can benefit both physical and mental health. Some psychiatrists and therapists prescribe yoga and meditation as a way for their patients to achieve mental and physical balance.

Mindfulness meditation, in particular, is beneficial for people who are looking for balance in their lives. Today, many people are stressed out and have trouble living in the moment, but mindfulness meditation teaches them to inhabit their lives fully.

Why a Balance Between Mental and Physical Health is Important

According to Saikiran Bomma, everyone should pay close attention to both sides of their health. Worrisome symptoms from either side need to be addressed right away. Mental health, in particular, should not be swept under the rug or denied. There are many sources of help and support available for people experiencing depression, anxiety, and other disorders.

When people address both their mental and physical health, they will find that they feel happier, more relaxed, and more able to deal with life’s many challenges, whether they happen at home or in the workplace. Having a good handle on mental and physical health means achieving balance in all things. This may seem like a lofty goal for some people, especially those facing serious mental or physical challenges. Still, any steps in the right direction can promote good health in the future.

Saikiran Bomma believes that following these recommendations for a better balance between physical and mental health can help to promote a more centered life. Since physical and mental health is so intertwined, they can affect each other for better or worse. People who want to solidify their state of health should pay close attention to these recommendations.