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Balance Crucial to Emotional and Physical Health

By HERWriter
 
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In the first article in this series, “The Connection Between Emotional Health and Physical Health: An Overview”, we looked at what happens to our bodies when we don’t manage our stress well, or don’t get sufficient sleep.

In this article, we will examine the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between physical and emotional health. We will discover that this connection goes beyond being grumpy due to sleep deprivation, right to the cells in our bodies that will tell us—and our family physicians—when stress is winning the battle over our minds and bodies.

Mental Health More than Lack of Depression and Stress

“Good mental health isn’t just the absence of mental health problems. Being mentally or emotionally healthy is much more than being free of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues. Rather than the absence of mental illness, mental and emotional health refers to the presence of positive characteristics” (www.helpguide.org).

Being emotionally healthy doesn’t mean never experiencing anything stressful. It means being able to handle those stressful situations effectively. It comes from the reality that things, people, and situations need to be addressed as they come up in a healthy and positive light—the proverbial “silver lining”.

It also means knowing what kinds of situations—lack of sleep, hormones, lack of meditation or quiet time or prayer (whatever you do to de-stress and decompress), or lack of chocolate—may lead to an emotional response to which you wouldn’t normally give in. It means being able to deal with these unpleasant situations in such a way that you remain focused in your job and family, and flexible when life happens, without falling into depression, anxiety or other negative mood states.

*NOTE: If you’re one that suffers from clinical or chronic depression or another mental illness, this presents a completely different set of biological issues where medication may be needed to help maintain this balance.)

Being emotionally healthy means knowing when you need to de-stress and decompress, when you need to take time out for yourself, or to vent, and maintaining regular de-stressing techniques so that the emotions don’t build up over time resulting in an explosion of emotions or physical breakdown.

“…studies have showed that the risk of developing heart disease is significantly increased for people who impulsively vent their anger as well as for those who tend to repress angry feelings” (www.heartmath.org).

The Delicate Internal Balancing Act

The precarious balance between physical and emotional health physiologically has been traced to secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA), DHEA, and cortisol.

Immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) is an antibody that is measurable in those bodily cavities that connect somehow with the outside—such as mouth, nose, eyelids, upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal system, and the urinary tract. The cells that produce this antibody are a major component of the immune system and provide a reliable assessment of the health of a person’s immune system.

DHEA is known as the “anti-aging hormone.” It enhances the immune system, stimulates bone development, lowers cholesterol levels, and builds muscle mass. Prolonged deficient DHEA levels, such as in patients who suffer from obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and Alzheimer’s, can result in increased bone loss and getting sick more easily (or conversely not able to “kick” illnesses as easily).

Cortisol is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory hormone that helps the body metabolize or process fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. When a person is stressed for prolonged periods of time, the body is no longer able to manage blood sugar levels effectively, which can in turn affect every other cells and system of the body. The body will experience increased fat accumulation and destruction of brain cells.

Studies have shown that “…sincere, positive feeling states boost the immune system, while negative emotions may suppress the immune response for up to six hours following the emotional experience” (www.heartmath.org).

When a person is under stress, the balance between DHEA and cortisol is affected and measurable through the S-igA. Under stress, cortisol levels will increase, while DHEA levels, and a body’s ability to defend itself, decreases.

What does this Mean?

From this bit of science, it is clear that effective emotional management can have profound effects on the cardiovascular, immune, hormonal, and autonomic nervous systems and, by extension, improve physical health and vitality (www.heartmath.org).

Sources: www.alive.com; www.shepellfgi.com; www.helpguide.org; www.heartmath.org; www.phac-aspc.gc.ca (Public Health Agency of Canada); www.ThePsychologist.com; www.everydayhealth.com; www.essentiallifeskills.net; www.dictionary.com

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Darlene Oakley
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.