When Your Body Speaks for Your Mind
You may have heard what affects the mind affects the body. Now, science has backed the link between the physical and mental by providing evidence that poor mental health stems from poor physical health.
When Your Body Speaks for Your Mind
You may have heard what affects the mind affects the body. Now, science has backed the link between the physical and mental by providing evidence that poor mental health stems from poor physical health.
In other words, how your body feels can be a big clue about how your mind is doing. If you're always tired, getting sick often, or dealing with aches and pains that won’t go away, it might be that your mind could be asking for help!
Our body and mind are more connected than we think, and paying attention to one can tell us a lot about the other.
Body and mental health go hand-in-hand
Our body and mind live in the same house. When one is not happy, the other often feels it too. A heart or liver in poor shape can send signals that map to mood changes, fatigue, even anxiety.
For example, inflammation from conditions like diabetes or arthritis affects the brain and can trigger depression.
Issues like abnormal blood sugar or liver function show up earlier as physical trouble — but they can mean mental distress is brewing.
Why body signs matter more than brain scans
Doctors often rely on brain MRI to understand mental illness. But new work shows that sometimes body checks — simple lab tests — reveal far more about your mental state.
Metabolic issues (blood sugar, cholesterol) and poor immune or liver function show up early in mental illness.
On the other hand, changes in brain imaging may be more subtle or come later.
How they play together
A few science-backed pathways:
Inflammation: Chronic inflammation from physical illness can disrupt brain chemicals, leading to low mood and anxiety .
Lifestyle loop: Mental stress can cause poor eating, lack of exercise and sleep issues — hurting body health. Then the body reacts, making mood worse.
Medications: Some mental health medicines can cause weight gain or high blood pressure, which can worsen both physical and mental health
What the science says
A friendly reminder for Malaysians:
Many of us are busy juggling work, family, study. We may skip meals or pick fast food.
We may ignore small signs like feeling tired, stomach upset, or mood low — thinking it’s normal. But these could be body signals of stress, worry, or hidden depression.
What you can do today
Check-in with your doctor even if you feel just a bit off
Simple health tests like blood sugar, cholesterol, liver–kidney checks can tell more than you think
Move a little – daily walks, cycling or gardening help body and brain
Eat well – choose whole grains and colourful fruits–vegetables over fast food
Get enough rest – 6 to 8 hours helps your body repair and your mind unwind
Share how you feel – let friends or family know when mood or energy dips. You are not alone
Heal the Body, Mind will Follow
Your body and mind are in a close friendship. When you feel unwell physically — especially in areas like blood sugar, liver, heart, or inflammation — it might also signal that your mental health needs care. Small steps now can prevent bigger problems later.
Sources:
News Medical: Study reveals how physical health impacts mental health via brain pathways
JAMA: Evaluation of Brain-Body Health in Individuals With Common Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Check out Dr. Eddie Ramirez's social medias for expert health news:
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