It is no secret that debilitating stress is simply detrimental to health. It can cause stomach pain, high blood pressure, and dizziness. An emotionally tense person often suffers from muscle tension. And this, in turn, can lead to problems with the spine. In addition, prolonged stress can weaken the body and cause many diseases. People experience a variety of manifestations. Let’s talk about how emotional health affects physical health.

Shocking Data of the Person’s Emotions Affecting Physical Health

The American Institute of Stress reports 73% of people experience stress that affects mental health. 77% say it impacts physical health. The British study found that 74% of people experienced stress so severe that they felt unable to cope with it. 46% of respondents reported overeating or eating unhealthy foods because of stress. 29% said they began to abuse alcohol, and 16% resorted to a bad habit—smoking—when stressed.

This year’s survey found that nearly 75% of Americans have experienced physical or mental symptoms of stress in the past month. Nearly 90% of American adults report losing sleep at night due to worries about health and the economy. Unfortunately, the stress problem only worsens over time and becomes more global. For example, in 2024, 43% of adults experienced more anxiety than the year before. Paying attention to your physical and emotional health is important because they are closely connected. We are sure that our emotional wellness tips will be helpful to you. Read on to find out more.

What Is Emotional Well-Being?

People experiencing emotional imbalance sleep poorly, suffer from muscle pain, are more susceptible to illness, and are less productive at work. According to the American Psychological Association, emotional well-being helps us control feelings, thoughts, and behavior; see problems in perspective; recover more easily from failures; and cope more effectively with difficulties. People with healthy stress-management habits are more engaged and motivated at work.

Physical and Emotional Well-being

A person’s physical and emotional well-being are closely related. That’s why caring for your mental and physical state is so important. After all, the quality of our life, its fullness and richness, and the ability to cope with the challenges of fate, fully realize our abilities, and be happy depend on it. According to neuroscientists from the Center for Healthy Mind Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, healthy habits of the body and mind can be learned. A person has every chance to increase their stress resistance.

Physical Health Affects Emotions

Positive changes in nutrition, regular proper physical exercise, and avoiding psychoactive substances can have a positive effect not only on physical well-being but also on emotional health. This contributes to “good” cholesterol, improved circulation and immunity, and decreased disease. Good health can have a positive effect on mood and overall psychological health. It has been proven that those who do not engage in healthy physical activity are at greater risk of developing depression. Unfortunately, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, this disease affects one in five adults (52.9 million people).

The Impact of Emotional Health on Physical Health

Symptoms of emotional stress can manifest themselves in the form of muscle spasms, stomach pain, excruciating headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, and so on. Poor mental health can also lead to depression and significantly increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Stress-Related Diseases

• Cardiovascular Diseases: Long-term stress can lead to high blood pressure, as well as an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Mental Disorders: Stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety disorders and depression.
• Immune System Disorders: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making the body susceptible to infections and diseases.
• Muscular and Skeletal Disorders: Stress can cause muscle tension and pain, which leads to chronic pain in the back, neck, and shoulders, headaches, and migraines.
• Digestive System Disorders: Stress can cause gastritis, gastric ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome.
• Endocrine Disorders: Constant stress can affect the functioning of the endocrine system, in particular the thyroid gland.

So, taking care of your physical and mental health is very important.

Ways to Improve Emotional Wellness

It is necessary to raise awareness about emotional health issues. People sometimes tend to suffer from depression, anxiety, and panic attacks but do not take steps to recovery. And the more stress, the sooner it will affect physical health. It would be good if it were possible to take a day off for “mental health days” at work. People take days off because of physical ailments or to solve family matters. But psychological problems are no less serious! It is important to practice methods that promote relaxation, such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation, during the working day. If possible, it is important to avoid multitasking, which sometimes increases stress and frustration. Develop healthy coping skills. Perhaps keeping a journal or pursuing a favorite hobby will help you. Developing healthy coping mechanisms can help prevent emotional overstrain.

Walking in the fresh air and listening to calming music can also be helpful. It is also important to surround yourself with people who can support you. If you lack a close, supportive environment, seek out support groups. Such an environment promotes emotional well-being.

Spend time on activities that energize and relax you. For this, it is important to get to know yourself well. Perhaps watching your favorite movies, reading books, doing physical activity, or gardening can help you. Also, spend time helping those in need. Be sure to thank others for their kind deeds. Focus on the positive. Avoid overcommitment and learn to say “no” when necessary. Set healthy psychological boundaries. This helps to significantly reduce stress levels.

Conclusions

Are you feeling down? Sad, frustrated, emotionally and physically tired, irritable, etc.? We are here to be your caring partner in mental wellness. We serve people throughout Massachusetts with confidentiality, sensitivity, and professionalism. We provide medication and therapy services and have extensive experience in mental wellness support. We offer 60-minute initial consultations and flexible follow-up appointments. We will take care of you. Take the first step to a happy, worry-free life. Contact us and get started!