When you fall sick, the solution is to visit a doctor or a health practitioner for the necessary treatments to heal your body. However, some physical disorders can have far-reaching consequences beyond your physical health. According to a National Institute of Health study, the body and mind are intricately connected. Therefore, a disease or disorder affecting your body may also impact your mind significantly.
So, what can you do when the body attacks the mind? The best solution for a physical disorder is to care for your physical and mental health. In this article, we will look at several tips that can help you improve your overall health when a physical illness also affects your mental health.
Talk to a Professional
The first step to take when the body attacks the mind is to get the help you require from a professional. This is especially crucial if you’re not sure about the physical disorder you’re suffering from. Therefore, you should immediately visit your doctor for a checkup and diagnosis, which will help to identify the underlying problem. An early visit to your doctor can also help prevent your condition from worsening, which can further cause a deterioration in your physical and mental health.
Besides your regular physician, you should seek other health professionals depending on your health condition. For example, you should visit a local orthopedic doctor if you’re suffering from an illness or injury that affects your bones, muscles, or joints. You can also seek help from alternative medicine professionals such as physiotherapists or osteopaths.
You should also remember about your mental health while seeking help for your physical health. Therefore, it’s also vital to look into local therapists around you who you can talk to during your recovery period. A therapist can help you cope with mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, which are common when suffering from a physical illness. They can also help you adapt to your condition, especially if you have suffered significant changes in your daily life. Lastly, they can help you learn stress reduction techniques, which can reduce the toll of physical illness on your mind and even help you recover faster.
Reduce Eye Strain
Sometimes, when the body attacks the mind, it’s not through severe physical disorders. Instead, something as seemingly minor as eye strain can significantly affect your physical and mental health. According to the National Centre for Health Research, eye strain is a common condition affecting about two in three Americans.
The most common cause of eye strain is the several hours most people spend in front of a screen. However, eye strain can also be caused by fatigue, too much exposure to light, reading for long periods, driving long distances, etc.
In most situations, eye strain is not severe and can quickly resolve once you get enough sleep. However, you’re likely to suffer from recurring eye strain if you lead a busy lifestyle, for example, spending long hours at an office in front of a computer. The recurrence of the condition can lead to physical discomfort and even pain. It can also significantly impact your mental health by affecting your moods, concentration, and sleep.
Therefore, it’s crucial to visit an eye doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms of eye strain. Your doctor will then conduct an eye exam to detect the underlying cause and other eye issues. They can then offer appropriate treatments, prescribing glasses and treating underlying eye disorders. They can also make recommendations for lifestyle changes, which can reduce or prevent strain on your eyes.
Maintain an Active Lifestyle
Exercise and physical activity can be beneficial when the body attacks the mind. According to MedlinePlus, exercise can have a vast impact on your immunity. Therefore, engaging in physical activity can help your body to recover faster, thus alleviating your pain and discomfort. Additionally, exercise is a great way to restore muscle strength, mobility, and full functionality after a physical disorder or injury that has compromised your body.
Besides improving your physical health, exercise can also help to improve your mental health. Engaging in physical activities releases endorphins, which can help to improve your moods and alleviate depression and anxiety. Exercise can also help you cope with stress, improve your self-esteem, and help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. Furthermore, it can increase your cognitive function, thus enhancing your mental well-being.
Another advantage of exercise is that it can help prevent the occurrence of physical disorders. For example, regular exercise can help reduce the risk factor of heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, cancer, dementia, and more. Therefore, maintaining an active lifestyle is essential when unwell and can also help protect you from many physical and mental disorders.
Get the Support You Need
Getting the necessary support can help you cope better when the body attacks the mind. According to the National Institute of Health, having strong social support can help improve your physical health and overall well-being. This can be vital in helping you recover faster.
You can seek support from several sources when you’re not feeling well. One of the top places to start is with your family physician. On top of offering treatments, physicians are also caregivers who can offer solid emotional support. For example, your doctor can listen to your fears and worries when you’re sick and encourage you.
Physicians can also recommend various activities to help you cope with your illness and improve your physical and mental health. Furthermore, they can refer you to other professionals, for example, psychotherapists, nutritionists, and physical therapists, who can help cater to your physical and mental health needs. Lastly, listening and talking with you can provide emotional support, making it easier to deal with your illness.
Besides physicians, you can also seek support from friends and family members. Your loved ones can be a strong rock for you when you’re sick by offering you emotional support. For example, they can listen to you, offer encouragement, and even help with chores or financial support if necessary.
Anticipate It Happening Later in Life
According to the CDC, age increases the risk of contracting chronic diseases. These include diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, vision and hearing loss, back pain, and others. Unfortunately, these disorders can also cause various mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, memory loss, isolation, etc. Therefore, planning for your health as you age is essential, as it will prepare you for when the body attacks the mind.
One of the ways you can prepare yourself is to start planning for your senior care early on. For example, long-term care is often expensive and can cause a substantial financial strain if unprepared. Therefore, you can start planning for the costs of your care years in advance by purchasing health insurance plans, investing in life insurance, and having personal savings.
Another way to prepare yourself as you age is to plan for your living arrangements. If you own a home, you can prepare yourself by making your home safer, more functional, and accessible as you age. You should also make arrangements for your personal care and household chores, either by seeking the help of your loved ones or hiring a private caregiver.
Alternatively, you can consider moving to a senior living community. While living in a retirement home, you can receive the necessary personal care and health care. It can also help you develop new social relationships and allow you to engage in hobbies and interests. This can give you peace of mind and help improve your physical and mental well-being.
Look Into Jaw Pain and Tension
Jaw pain and facial tension is a common disorder that affects many people. According to the National Institute of Health, the condition affects as many as 10 million Americans. It can be caused by several factors, such as teeth grinding, oral health issues, a jaw bone injury, or another health issue.
Jaw pain and tension can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort. This can make it hard or impossible to do simple things such as eat, talk, laugh, and smile. As a result, you can also suffer from various mental disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
Fortunately, you can respond in several ways when the body attacks the mind through the jawbone and facial tension. One of the top ones is to visit an orthodontist to treat the underlying jawbone issue immediately. Early orthodontic treatment can help alleviate your pain and discomfort, restoring the full function of your jaw. It can also prevent your health condition from deteriorating, leading to several health issues, such as tooth loss and jawbone atrophy.
Besides orthodontic treatment, you can also seek facial treatment to help alleviate facial tension and pain. Treatment options include medication for the underlying condition, cognitive behavioral therapy, and facial exercises. Other treatment options include massage, hot and ice therapy, and deep breathing exercises.
Eat Healthily
A healthy diet can help improve your overall health when the body attacks the mind. A healthy and balanced diet can strengthen your body’s immune system, which can help you fight off diseases. It can also help to improve your muscle and bone strength and ensure the health of your eyes, teeth, skin, and other body organs.
A healthy diet can also help to protect you from severe health conditions. According to the CDC, healthy eating can protect you from chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. It’s also crucial in weight management and, thus, can help prevent weight-related diseases such as high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and stroke.
Apart from physical health, a healthy diet can also play a vital role in your mental well-being. A healthy diet keeps your blood sugar and energy levels in check, which can significantly improve your moods. It can also improve your cognitive function, greatly enhancing your mental well-being. Additionally, according to a study published by Harvard University, good nutrition can help prevent or alleviate mental health disorders such as depression.
Therefore, healthy eating is a great trick that can help improve your overall health and well-being. It can be even more effective when combined with exercise and good lifestyle habits such as adequate sleep and staying hydrated.
Visit a Chiropractor
Conditions like back pain, neck pain, arthritis, headaches, and muscle, bone, and joint problems are common. These often result in chronic pain, which can cause a lot of physical discomforts. They can also affect your body function and mobility, making it impossible to carry out daily tasks.
Besides the toll on your physical health, the above conditions can affect your mental health in many ways. For example, they can lead to isolation, loneliness, and helplessness. They can also diminish your self-esteem and cause stress, anxiety, and depression.
Fortunately, when the body attacks the mind with these conditions, you can turn to chiropractic care for help. For example, chiropractic care is one of the best solutions for lower back pain relief. Your chiropractor can offer several solutions, such as spinal manipulation, to eliminate or alleviate back pain. They can also help restore your muscle strength and your body’s full function.
Chiropractic treatments are also helpful in treating several other chronic pain conditions, such as migraines and neck, muscle, and joint pain. In addition, alleviating pain and restoring your body’s function can help improve your moods and self-esteem. These benefits will allow you to enjoy a happier and more fulfilling life, thus enhancing your mental well-being.
Physical health conditions can cause you a lot of pain and suffering. They can also limit bodily function, making it impossible to do simple tasks such as walking, eating, or talking. Worse, they can cause a range of mental disorders such as anxiety, fear, stress, depression, and diminished self-esteem, which can significantly reduce the quality of your life. Fortunately, the above tips can help you cope when the body attacks the mind through physical illnesses. With these tricks, you can restore your physical and mental health, leading to a happier life.