The Mind-Body Connection: Nurture Both for Better Health

Just as our minds and bodies are linked, so are mental and physical health. That’s why if you’re facing a health issue, you may need care for both mental and physical symptoms.

Mental health conditions are common. More than 1 in 5 adults are affected. Mental health conditions are health issues that change a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or actions. They can be short-term or long lasting. Some common ones are depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

Mental health and physical health are linked. Both can be helped, or harmed, by how we care for ourselves, says the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  Poor mental health care can impact your ability to make choices that also harm your physical health.

People affected by mental illness often face the added burden of heart disease, high blood pressure and other health issues. These serious, life-long health problems add to mental health symptoms, worsen quality of life and shorten life expectancy.

Health Problems Interact

Some physical health conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle tension, and digestive and sleep problems, can also be linked to mental health concerns like anxiety or depression.

If you’re facing these physical health issues, check in with your primary care doctor. Ask if it might be helpful to follow up with a mental health care provider to co-treat symptoms that may be masked as physical health issues.

If you’re already seeing a mental health care provider, know that some medications, such as for bipolar or schizophrenia, can impact physical health issues like diabetes. Be sure to talk to your doctor about having your A1C checked at least once per year.

If you are being treated for both physical and mental health issues, be sure all your doctors know that.  One health concern can affect another. Some mental health symptoms may make it hard to know that you also have a physical problem. And some medicines used for mental health issues can affect you physically. To keep you safe and healthy, all of your doctors need to know what you’re taking.

If You’re In the Hospital

If you’re in the hospital for medical problems, there may be mental health problems that should be treated, too. Some signs of that could be feeling tired or having headaches or an upset stomach. You may have a hard time sleeping or eating. You may feel sad, anxious or really scared. These feelings may make your medical problems worse.

Ask your doctor or nurse about seeing someone for this while you are in the hospital. Let them know what symptoms you’re feeling. Then ask them for a behavioral health consultation. This means that a specialist will come talk to you about these symptoms.

Before you leave the hospital, make sure that you have a mental health follow-up visit scheduled. Be sure to also book a follow-up visit with your primary physician. It is best if these appointments, whether in-person or by telehealth (if available), are within 30 days of discharge. Learn more about follow-up care after a stay in the hospital.

What You Can Do

You can take steps to lower your chance of serious health problems. Whether you’re handling a serious mental illness, feeling symptoms of stress, or simply seeking ways to help your health, remember that mental health is physical health.

To help both your mental and physical health:

• Advocate for your health. You have the leading role in your care.
• Talk to your doctors about signing a release form that allows them to share information about your care.
• Stay in front of health concerns. Listen to your body. Get routine health exams.
• Talk with your health care team. Discuss how you’re feeling. Be sure you’re clear on treatment and medication choices.
• Making healthy food choices and staying active can help manage your symptoms.
• Get enough sleep.
• Don’t self-medicate with harmful substances.
• Track the medications you take and share that information with your health care team. That can help cut the risk of harmful drug interactions.
• Have your family and friends get involved. Talk to them about ways to help you reach your health goals.

Get Help

Get help for your mental and physical health issues so you can live your healthiest life. Find support for mental health concerns.  Call 800-950-6264 or text “helpline” to 62640. In a crisis? Call or text 988.

Sources: About Mental Health,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Mental Health is Physical Health,  National Alliance on Mental Illness; Find Support Now,  NAMI; Working With More Than One Doctor,  University of Michigan Medicine, 2023