The Impact of Physical Health on Mental Health
Our physical health is something we all take for granted until it’s shaken or taken from us. We go through life knowing that we can wake up, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, stand at our counter to make sure we look good for the day, eat our 3 daily meals, drive to work, take care of our families, walk up and down the stairs, and take our pets for a walk. If you do all of these things, consider yourself fortunate. This may sound like a normal day or an average day, but the truth is, some people don’t get to do these so-called “normal” things that we may complain about at times.
When our daily lives become altered by an acute or chronic injury or illness, we become less of ourselves and sometimes don’t even know who we are anymore. Physical health directly correlates with the state of our mental health, and when our mental health deteriorates, it becomes a vicious cycle of destruction to both our physical and mental health. So how do we break the cycle?
It is crucial to take a look at your life and come up with a list of things to be grateful for and stop comparing your life to others. We are going on a different journey than that of our friends, family, and neighbors. While we can acknowledge our own hardships and grieve the things we can no longer do, we can shift our focus to the things we can do. We can also put things into perspective. While we may be going through a difficult time, someone is always going through a more difficult time. Again, not that our difficult time doesn’t matter, but is my response and posture appropriate for what I’m dealing with at the time? We can sit and bask in a pity party for ourselves, thinking everyone’s lives are better and that we deserve better, or we can think, wow, I’m privileged that I don’t live in a warzone and get to feed my kids and tuck them in at night without a worry.
I would encourage everyone to watch these two videos for some perspective and for encouragement to live a life of significance. No matter where you are in life, you can be a difference maker. Look at what you can do versus what you can’t.
Live a Life of Significance- Tim Tebow
If you Fail, Try Again- Nick Vujicic
If you need some help and guidance during a difficult time, please reach out to LahSET. We can help carry that burden for you. Completing our inquiry form is the first step. We’d love to help get you back on your feet again.