Why is good mental health necessary? Understanding the importance of a mind and body connect.

In an age of increasing complexities, we often forget to take good care of our health, be it mental, or physical. We are so occupied with handling out day jobs, our social lives, our familial lives, and so on, that we completely forget about our personal lives and our personal health. Studies have shown that people with good emotional and mental health are aware of their feelings, thoughts and the way they behave. In this day and age, stress and problems are a normal part of life. However, it is essential to overcome stress in healthy ways. Hence, it is extremely important to understand our mind and body, how they function and how they affect each other. Understanding this connect, will not only improve one’s mental health but also their physical health.

There are numerous ways to improve your mental health. One of the most popular and effective techniques include meditation and guided imagery. This mind and body related practices have immense psychological benefits. For instance, it improves one's capacity to focus and reflect. Mindfulness-based practices are used all over the world to treat mental health problems. The brain is like a muscle. Meditation is equivalent to a workout for the mind. The mind is either getting stronger and sharper, or it is simply lying dormant. There is a 'mind and body' connect in all of us. The body responds to the way one thinks and feels. For instance, when you are worried or anxious about something, the body tells you that something is probably not right. An external reaction to this would be a change in the body language, and the internal reaction would be something like high blood pressure. In both the cases, the body has responded to the state of mind.

To have good mental health, it is important to take care of your body by making sure that you have a healthy routine. This healthy routine must include a balanced diet, enough sleep and exercise. Poor mental health can also damage your immune system. You become more prone to health issues such as insomnia, headaches, constipation, etc.

According to Oliver Howes, a professor at the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences states that in the past, we’ve often always thought of the mind and body being different from each other.  He further says that the mind and body constantly interact with each other. A bad mental health often reveals itself in the form of physical pain. Just as staying physically active helps our body remain strong, we must also meditate in order to strengthen our mind. When we are mentally healthy, we can enjoy our environment, our company and our life to the fullest. Hence, it is important to nurture both our body and mind.

To summarize, these are some of the reasons why a good mind and body connection and good mental health is beneficial:-

•    Reduced stress and anxiety

•    Clearer thought process

•    Increased self-esteem

•    Reduced risk of diseases

•    More energy

•    Improved sleep

•    Having fun and enjoying life