Health: Physical Vs Mental-Which One Is The More Important?

In today’s world, the distinction between mental and physical health has never been more crucial. We often focus more on the physical aspects— like exercising, following a skincare routine, adhering to a diet, or maintaining personal hygiene. But what about our mental health?

Is achieving flawless skin, an hourglass figure, or sticking to a restrictive diet truly meaningful if we’re neglecting our inner well-being?

Mental health is just as vital as physical health, if not more so. Without a healthy mind, even the most rigorous routines can feel hollow. It’s time we acknowledge that true well-being involves nurturing both our bodies and minds. After all, what’s the point of looking perfect on the outside if you’re struggling on the inside?

A perfect exterior means little if your inner world is in turmoil

Mentalbeings

What Does Physical and Mental Health Look Like?

Being Mentally Overlooked

When you’re mentally struggling, reaching out for help can feel almost impossible. In the UK, the admission process can be particularly challenging. Before you’re even considered for support, you must undergo countless physical assessments, endure countless hospital visits, and then wait for acceptance into a community team. This team is your golden ticket for further treatment.

Throughout my journey of endless hospital visits and repeated blood tests, I felt discriminated against and overlooked. Despite being physically unwell, my blood tests always came back normal, my heart was within a safe range, and I hadn’t suffered any visible injuries.

As a result, I was sent home every time, with the reassurance that I was ‘healthy‘ and ‘stable.’ But to me, this was far from the truth. This “reassurance” made my ED even louder, because it didn’t want me to be ‘healthy’-it wanted me dead!

There were times when I fainted or my legs gave in unable to hold me up, yet I WAS STILL SENT HOME! Each rejection only made my ED voice louder, convincing me that I wasn’t sick enough to deserve help.

But here's some real reassurance: 
No matter what you're being told—whether you're underweight, overweight, at a normal weight, have healthy blood work, or a stable heart—you are always, and I repeat, ALWAYS worthy of help!

Why do we often overlook our mental well-being?

Several reasons contribute to the frequent oversight of mental well-being. One major factor is the stigma surrounding mental illness. People with mental health struggles often face unfair labels such as weird, dangerous, or weak. But does this mean that everyone struggling with mental health is indeed ‘weird’ or ‘weak’? Of course not. We all face mental health challenges in different ways, and it’s time we change this narrative.

Another reason is that many people don’t even realize they are struggling. Mental health issues aren’t always visible and can be difficult to detect, making it easy to overlook their importance.

For example, an invisible eating disorder like orthorexia often goes unnoticed. In my opinion, orthorexia is more common than we might think, especially given the stigma around healthy eating. I have written an article on Orthorexia and its warning signs, which you can find here.

Mental vs Physical Health

Both mental and physical health are deeply interconnected. If you focus only on one, the other may suffer. For example, poor mental health can lead to physical problems like a weakened immune system, heart issues, and fatigue. Similarly, physical health problems can worsen mental health struggles like depression and anxiety.

By valuing both mental and physical health equally, we create a healthy balance—and as we all know, balance is key to a healthy life. Taking care of ourselves physically and mentally with self-care practices is essential for overall well-being.

Turn Reading into Action

To truly thrive, it’s essential to take care of both your mental and physical health. Try Incorporating self-care practices into your daily routine and seek support when needed. Whether it’s through regular exercise, a balanced diet, mindfulness practices, or professional help, make sure you’re addressing both aspects of your health.

Remember, both mental and physical health are crucial for overall well-being. They are not separate entities but parts of a whole that need equal attention and care.

I hope this article has helped you see just how important both mental and physical health are—without me having to spell it out (though I guess I just did, for anyone who still wasn’t sure after reading this)!

Remember that you are worthy of help and that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Until next time.