White January: Understanding why physical and mental health go hand in hand

The psychoanalyst explains the effects of happiness and mental health on physical well-being. Discover how the mind can influence the body

Mental health is a serious thing and, in Brazil, the situation is quite delicate. This is because the country is considered the most anxious nation in the world, as indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Other disorders such as depression and chronic stress still prevail here. All these problems impact not only the mind, but also physical health.

When we experience pleasure and happiness, emotional aspects come into play that directly influence our physical and mental health, explains psychoanalyst Dr. Andrea Ladislau. “Our health can also be influenced by the power of positive thinking, as our immune system will be strengthened, reducing the risk of disease and also allowing us to prolong life,” he explains.

According to Andrea, positive thinking has a great impact on our entire body and our health. “It helps against mental and emotional illnesses, such as depression, loneliness and stress, relieving symptoms and rehabilitating the body. It has been proven that even diabetes can reduce its critical factor through positive mentalizations. Scientifically, positive thinking helps in treatment and, in some cases, even curing them”, he underlines.

Example of the power of the mind

Speaker and writer Mari Toson leads by example when we talk about the impact of mental health on physical health. She has been between life and death in three different situations and says that in all her struggles the only healthy thing inside her was her mind.

Mari was diagnosed with T-type acute lymphocytic leukemia at age 19, an aggressive type of lymphoproliferative disease that is usually fatal and does not respond to chemotherapy. She only had a 20% chance of surviving. After battling cancer, Mari faced bone disease and began using a prosthetic hip. Additionally, she had postpartum complications with her second child, resulting in her spending days in intensive care.

“From the beginning of the disease, due to its severity, I immediately understood that I had to control and maintain my mental health in a constantly positive state. When we are faced with great challenges, our mind understands only two commands: run away. or face it and the instability can be the beginning of an emotional decline followed by a worsening of the disease”, recalls the writer.

She says she had to go through a very complex chemotherapy treatment, which caused her a lot of physical pain. “My faith always healed me at this time, so I would cry a lot, then breathe and return to my prayers. Even though my physical body was ravaged by chemotherapy, there were 2 places that were always strong, healthy and full of hope : My mind and my heart. They were just these two organs that I could control,” he says.

How to avoid the opposite effect

Just as the healing process can be stimulated through emotional strengthening and mental health care, the opposite can also happen. “The pessimistic spirit, in addition to attracting greater physical, emotional and mental discomfort, undermines the immune system and can aggravate various diseases and symptoms”, warns psychoanalyst Andrea Ladislau. Therefore, it is essential to adopt ways to take care of your well-being and ward off mental dangers.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.