What would you say if asked to name your most valuable assets? If you are like most people, your mind will go to something tangible, like your home or business. But what about intangible assets like health?

You must have heard the adage that health is wealth, which means that your physical and mental wellness is far more important than anything else in life satisfaction. This article supports that notion, so keep reading to discover why investing in your physical and mental wellness is essential.

Understanding Physical Wellness

Physical wellness refers to maintaining a healthy life without physical limitations. It takes different forms, such as eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and exercising. Notably, there are several reasons why your physical wellness should be a priority.

One of them is that it helps you maintain your body over time. Although aging is inevitable, you can still do certain things even when you are older. For instance, if your bones and joints are strong, you can still go hiking even in your 60s.

Physical wellness also helps you keep organs in check. For instance, if you work out regularly, crucial organs like the heart will stay healthy. Improved blood flow can also manifest in the form of radiant skin. Additionally, prioritizing physical wellness helps you maintain a healthy weight. That goes a long way in preventing certain diseases that could affect the quality of your life.

Understanding Mental Wellness

As you’ve seen, physical wellness is all about the body. On the other hand, mental wellness is all about the mind. It is a state in which your mind functions in your best interest. It is worth noting that it’s more than just the absence of mental illness. Think of it as a state of positiveness, self-assurance, and happiness.

When you are in a state of mental wellness, you are in control of your thoughts, making it easy to build the necessary resilience to face life challenges. You can also be more productive in your work and nurture your relationships.

The Interplay Between Physical and Mental Wellness

Your physical wellness and mental wellness are fundamentally intertwined. A good example is the interaction of estrogen and dopamine. The latter is associated with functions like motivation and reward. Usually, estrogen downregulates dopamine transmission. For instance, some people might be at a higher risk of psychosis postpartum since estrogen levels are extremely low during this time.

Another area that demonstrates the strong relationship between physical and mental wellness is chronic conditions. People suffering from chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health. Similarly, poor mental health can be a risk factor for chronic physical conditions.

The good news is that the body and brain are extremely responsive to change. Therefore, all you need to do is put conscious effort into caring for your physical and mental wellness.

Key Ways to Take Care of Physical and Mental Wellness

As you’ve read, taking care of your physical and mental wellness has several benefits. So, you might wonder which is the best way to do that. Below are some suggestions for boosting your physical and mental well-being and living a balanced life. Take a look.

Regular Exercise

According to the CDC, regular physical exercise is one of the most essential things you can do for your mind and body. One of the benefits of working out is that it helps you maintain a moderate weight over time. It also reduces your danger of developing certain health complications, like type 2 diabetes.

Studies show that older adults experience reduced muscle mass and muscle strength. However, physical activities like weight-lifting can help you increase or maintain muscle mass and strength. Consequently, you can be able to do daily activities like climbing stairs with ease.

Besides, physical exercise is good for your mental well-being. For instance, studies have suggested walking for about an hour decreases the risk of depression significantly. It is known to promote the release of endorphins, which are powerful chemicals that energize your spirits.

Additionally, physical activity can be a nice escape from the chaos of everyday life. It is the perfect time for you to spend quality time with yourself and break out of the vicious cycle of negative thoughts that can fuel depression.

It is worth noting that most benefits of physical exercise are cumulative. Therefore, you must make it a lifelong habit to see the difference. However, be careful not to overdo it to avoid the risk of injuries. It is also important to pick activities you enjoy–that makes it easier to stay consistent.

Seek Pain Management Services

Living with debilitating pain is physically and emotionally stressful. It makes it hard for you to lead your everyday life. For instance, you might have a challenge doing daily chores like grocery runs and cleaning around the house. It also produces anxiety and emotional distress, undermining the quality of your life.

Therefore, if you are struggling with acute or chronic pain, visiting a pain management center might be what you need. A pain doctor, such as an orthopedic specialist, will begin by diagnosing the root cause of the pain. The findings will be the blueprint of your treatment plan.

Pain treatment can take many forms, depending on your condition. Below are some common ones:

Cold and heat: Ice packs come in handy to reduce swelling after an injury. On the other hand, heat packs help relieve chronic muscle and joint injuries.

Chiropractic care: This is a system of therapy that involves manipulating the body’s alignment to relieve pain from personal injury and improve function. It mainly focuses on the spine but can extend to other forms, such as ergonomic training and manipulative therapies.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a concept from Chinese medicine. A professional inserts thin needles into the skin to restore balance within the body.

Exercise: Physical activities like walking and cycling can help you improve mobility.

Music therapy: Did you know music can distract you from pain or discomfort? This is especially true after surgery and childbirth.

Massage therapy: This form of physical therapy helps with soft tissue injuries. However, it is not ideal for long-term treatment.

Alongside reduced quality of life, chronic pain can lead to addiction. Although it’s possible to take opioids for pain management without becoming addicted, it is still a risk. Unfortunately, addiction is complex and can occur despite best practices and efforts. When that happens, it would be a good idea to join a substance abuse treatment center.

These facilities run programs that provide resources, therapies, and support that one may need to overcome substance disorders. Usually, the care plan depends on an individual’s needs. For instance, it may include medication-assisted therapy to help cope with complex symptoms.

Consider Seeking Anxiety Treatment

According to the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders, affecting nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. Anxiety can affect the body and mind in different ways.

For example, you might experience an increased heart rate and chest pain. It also increases your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Mentally, it makes it almost impossible to relax. That can negatively affect your ability to concentrate, thus jeopardizing your productivity. That’s why it’s essential to be proactive with anxiety treatment.

If you have mild anxiety, you can manage it without clinical supervision. One of the most effective ways of doing that is managing triggers that can cause stress. For instance, creating a to-do list can aid in meet those deadlines. Similarly, taking time from work to focus on self-care can reduce stress.

During your time off, you can indulge in relaxation techniques like yoga, mindfulness meditation, and long therapeutic baths. Getting adequate sleep and maintaining a strong support network is also essential. You can have a platform to vent rather than bottle emotions, which is unsuitable for your mental wellness.

If you are experiencing severe anxiety, you might need to take it a notch higher and seek psychological counseling and therapy. A professional can advise on the best therapy modality depending on your condition. Common types of therapy for anxiety include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exposure therapy.

Enhance Your Natural Beauty

A good appearance can do wonders for your mental wellness. That’s true since when you look good, you feel better about yourself. That’s where medspa treatment comes in. Once you get to the medical spa, you can expect various services, such as treatments for stretch marks, blemishes, and overgrown hair. You can also get non-surgical anti-aging treatments.

Besides improving your mental wellness, medspa treatments can also help with certain physical conditions, such as eczema and migraines. Another way of improving your appearance is getting a cosmetic dental service. Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include dental implants, tooth bonding, and crowns.

Keep the Home Clean

There is a direct link between the cleanliness of your home and your physical and health wellness. To begin with, decluttering your home can be a perfect way to relax and calm your anxiety. It also helps improve your focus.

Think of a scenario where you have to work in a cluttered environment with paperwork work all over. You can hardly concentrate since your mind keeps reminding you of everything you haven’t done. Besides, a clean home can improve the quality of your sleep. For instance, duct cleaning services improve the air quality in your home, helping you sleep better.

Besides improving your mental wellness, cleaning your home also has physical benefits. The act of cleaning itself can be a form of physical exercise. It also helps with sanitation, a key concern in physical health. For instance, your household surfaces can be covered with harmful bacteria like E-coli, which you can ingest through food.

Regular Medical Checkups

Preventative health care is critical when it comes to taking charge of your well-being. During the checkup, the doctor can perform various procedures, such as colonoscopy services, breast exam, and prostate exam for men. These screenings help healthcare professionals to detect diseases early on. Therefore, they can start treatment immediately, increasing the chances of recovery.

It also helps you make better decisions for your well-being. For instance, if your doctor at a heart clinic detects high cholesterol levels, they might advise you to incorporate physical exercise into your schedule and adjust your diet.

Regular medical checkups can reduce healthcare costs over time. You know how expensive medical intervention can be. However, you can minimize the damage by paying for good health insurance. When choosing an insurance plan, it’s essential to confirm that the care you need is covered. For instance, if you are considering getting pregnant, it would be wise to get a plan covering prenatal care.

It is also essential to review the plan’s list of care providers. Insurance plans have preferred providers, participating providers, and a tiered network. If you have a healthcare provider that you would like to continue seeing, you can find out which insurance plans have them as preferred providers. Most importantly, compare the prices of different insurance plans to determine which one is right for you. Bear in mind that there are several costs involved. These include the premium, deductible, co-payment, and maximum out-of-pocket expense.

Mental Wellness is a Journey!

Achieving optimal physical and mental wellness is a continuous process, not a one-time ordeal. However, the process is not linear. Sometimes, it might even be faced with resistance since it might involve going against things you are used to. For instance, if you are used to a sedentary lifestyle, taking charge of your health might look like coming up with a workout routine and sticking to it.

Similarly, if you are used to eating highly processed foods, you must consciously decide to switch to healthier options. The most important thing is to keep an eye on the goal and do the right thing even when it’s hard. It is also essential to start slow and work your way to the top. For instance, if you are new to working out, start with simple activities, then gradually proceed to the heavy lifting. But remember, all you need to do is start!