If you are living with constant pain, or if you recently got a new diagnosis, you are not “overreacting” when your mental health starts to feel shaky. What you are experiencing is real, and it is very common.
Below, our mental healthcare providers in East Chicago, Indiana are going to explain exactly how your body and mind affect each other. We will also share some easy tips that can help you get back in control of your mental health.
How do physical health problems affect mental health?
Chronic pain can disrupt almost every aspect of your life. It can rob you of good sleep, make work feel impossible, cancel your social plans, and limit even simple movement like walking. Over time, those constant disruptions can increase the risk of anxiety or depression.
It is a self-perpetuating cycle. Pain makes it harder to sleep, the lack of sleep affects your mood, anxiety increases, and then you become even more sensitive to pain than you were before.
Serious diagnoses can also change everything overnight. Conditions like cancer or heart disease can trigger fear and uncertainty. Treatments can also make people exhausted as they juggle side effects and endless appointments, which can be just as emotionally draining as the illness itself.
These reactions are common, but more importantly, they are treatable. By talking with a mental healthcare provider in East Chicago, Indiana, you can learn new ways to manage your stress and cope with the changes.
How can mental health affect the body?
When stress hormones like adrenaline surge again and again, your heart races and your blood pressure increases. Over months or years, those constant spikes can physically exhaust your body.
Anxiety and depression bring their own challenges. These mental health problems can completely disrupt your routines and can be behind digestive problems, poor sleep, and a lack of energy or motivation. Suddenly, even basic things like keeping up with appointments or taking medications on time can feel overwhelming. And when your body does not get what it needs, your physical symptoms can get worse, feeding the very anxiety or depression you started with.
It becomes a two-way loop. Physical problems intensify emotional distress, and emotional distress makes physical symptoms feel heavier. Breaking that cycle requires you to take care of both sides at the same time. So how do you do that?
Simple tips to improve your physical and mental health at the same time.
- Move your body. A 10-to-20-minute walk around the block or some light stretching can relax your tense muscles and improve your mood.
- Prioritize your sleep rhythms. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. Give yourself 30-60 minutes to wind down. Dim the lights and avoid any screen time.
- Eat balanced meals at regular times. Skipping food when you are stressed depletes your energy even more. Meals with some protein, fiber, and plenty of fluids can keep both your mood and body healthy.
- Take small breaks to calm yourself during the day. Even 3-5 minutes of slow breathing or using a mindfulness app can help your nervous system reset.
- Stay connected with people you trust. Call a friend, share how you are feeling, or ask for help with specific things like rides to appointments or a check-in text. These people may want to help but don’t know how until you ask.
- Keep your care simple and visible. Use a pill organizer or phone reminders for appointments to take some mental load off your shoulders.
Most importantly, know when to reach out for help. If your anxiety or sleep problems last longer than two weeks, or if it feels like too much to manage your health tasks alone, you can always reach out to a mental healthcare provider in East Chicago, Indiana. Help is there when you need it.
Looking for an affordable mental healthcare provider in East Chicago, Indiana?
Are you looking for a qualified mental healthcare provider in East Chicago, Indiana who can help you manage both the physical and emotional sides of your health? If so, our mental healthcare providers at 219 Health Network are here to assist you. Contact us today to get started.