Physical health and mental health are two of the most crucial aspects of an individual’s overall well-being. Physical health refers to how an individual’s internal and external body organs function and to a person’s physical performance. On the other hand, mental health refers to a person’s psychological, emotional, and social well-being. While it may seem that one is more important than the other, in reality, both physical and mental health are equally important, and both can impact an individual’s overall quality of life.
Physical health is essential for our body as it allows it to function properly during daily life. It helps us with our daily activities such as walking, working, running, exercising, and many more tasks. Physical health is also an important component of an individual’s healthy lifestyle and it improves health outcomes across their lifespan. Research has shown that as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increases, all-cause mortality (death from all causes) decreases [1]. When we are healthy, we are more capable of being active and achieving our life goals, we are also able to enjoy a longer, higher-quality life. Being physically active can improve brain health, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve our ability to do everyday activities [2].
Mental health is an important aspect of an individual’s life as it also has a huge impact on our day to day life. It can have a lasting effect on a person’s education, career, relationships, etc. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 adults lives with a moderate to severe mental health condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further notes that over 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with mental illness in their lifetime [3]. In another study, it was found that on average, a person has 3.4 poor mental health days per month [4]. These statistics reveal the urgency of the mental health crisis.
Although both physical and mental health are important on their own, neither takes precedence over the other. If one is affected, then the other will likely be impacted as well. According to the Mental Health Foundation in the UK, physical health problems significantly increase our risk of developing mental health problems, and vice versa [5]. In addition, people with serious mental health conditions are at high risk of experiencing chronic physical conditions, and people with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health [6]. This is supported by research that nearly one in three people with a long-term physical health condition suffer from mental health problems, most often depression or anxiety [7]. This is because both physical health and mental health are directly connected, and when a person is physically or mentally affected, the other health aspect reflexively is affected as well.
Additionally, physical and mental health can have a significant effect on each other indirectly. For example, mental health may affect an individual’s decision-making process, impairing their ability to access information on their health or on the quality of healthcare providers, thus impacting their physical health [8]. In addition, poor physical health may lead to a loss of wages or productivity, reducing access to healthier food or a better environment, ultimately negatively affecting mental health. This may include lack of sleep and stress at work [9]. Thus, both have an effect on each other indirectly.
The notion that physical health is more important than mental health is incorrect. Exercise can help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and enhance mood [10]. One may argue that physical health takes precedence over mental health. Although exercising helps a person stay mentally fit, it’s not enough to claim that physical well-being takes precedence over mental. On the flip side, research has shown that mental illnesses can impact the rest of your body [11], so one might argue that mental health takes precedence over physical. However, solely focusing on one hides the full picture. Looking at health holistically shows that both are connected. Neither takes precedence over the other.
In conclusion, both physical and mental health have important effects on quality of life. Mental wellbeing has both a direct and indirect connection with the physical health of a person. And on the other hand, physical condition has a direct and indirect effect on an individual’s mental state. Therefore, both are equally important for a high quality of life.
Bibliography
[1] Health University of Utah, “Physical Activity & Why It’s Important,” University of Utah Health | University of Utah Health, February 16, 2023, https://healthcare.utah.edu/integrative-health/driving-out-diabetes/family-food-matters/family-movement/importance-physical-activity.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Benefits of Physical Activity,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, April 27, 2022), https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm#:~:text=Regular%20physical%20activity%20is%20one.
[3] Mars Girolimon, “Why Is Mental Health Important?,” www.snhu.edu (Southern New Hampshire University, August 24, 2022), https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/why-is-mental-health-important.
[4] uclahealth, “The Link between Exercise and Mental Health,” www.uclahealth.org, October 17, 2018, https://www.uclahealth.org/news/the-link-between-exercise-and-mental-health.
[5] mental health foundation, “Physical Health and Mental Health,” www.mentalhealth.org.uk (Mental Health Foundation, February 18, 2022), https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/physical-health-and-mental-health#:~:text=Physical%20health%20problems%20significantly%20increase.
[6] Canadian Mental Health Association, “Connection between Mental and Physical Health,” Canadian Mental Health Association (Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario, 2023), https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/connection-between-mental-and-physical-health/#:~:text=The%20associations%20between%20mental%20and.
[7] mental health foundation, “Physical Health and Mental Health,” www.mentalhealth.org.uk (Mental Health Foundation, February 18, 2022), https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/physical-health-and-mental-health#:~:text=Physical%20health%20problems%20significantly%20increase.
[8] Julius Ohrnberger, Eleonora Fichera, and Matt Sutton, “The Relationship between Physical and Mental Health: A Mediation Analysis,” Social Science & Medicine 195, no. 195 (December 2017): 42–49, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.11.008.
[9] Julius Ohrnberger, Eleonora Fichera, and Matt Sutton, “The Relationship between Physical and Mental Health: A Mediation Analysis,” Social Science & Medicine 195, no. 195 (December 2017): 42–49, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.11.008.
[10] Aarti Agarwal, “Does Physical Health Affect Your Mental Health?,” Juno Medical (Juno), accessed January 6, 2024, https://www.juno.care/blog/physical-mental-health#.
[11] Health University of Utah, “Mental Health Is Just as Important as Your Physical Health,” University of Utah Health | University of Utah Health, April 28, 2022, https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2022/04/mental-health-just-important-your-physical-health#:~:text=Mental%20illnesses%20can%20impact%20the.
