Physical Health Links
I am not a medical doctor but I have worked in the health psychology setting for several years. Through this work, I have come to appreciate the importance of the mind-body connection. Importantly, our physical health affects our mental health and vice versa. Before we get started with psychotherapy, I strongly recommend that you get a physical evaluation and inform your doctor of the mental health challenges you have been experiencing. A good physician can help determine to what extent your mental health difficulties may be caused by or related to physical health problems. Sometimes getting an unknown or a known physical health condition taken care of can clear up a mental health challenge as well.
In addition to seeking a medical consultation, other basic ways to take care of your physical well-being can also make a huge impact on your mental well-being. These recommendations include starting an exercise routine, eating a healthy diet with as little greasy, processed foods as possible, getting enough sleep every night, and following treatment recommendations for chronic health conditions. Vitamin D has further been shown to make a large impact on our moods and physical health, so consider supplementing your diet with this vitamin or spending time in the sun regularly, as the sun promotes Vitamin D production. Always remember to consult with your physician before making any health-related changes.
The following resources are general resources to support over-all well-being and physical health. The resources are intended to complement, not replace, professional medical advice.
Medications and Health Supplements
- Medical Encyclopedia
- Medication, Internet Mental Health
- Medications, PDR
- Medline, Comparison
- Multivitamins
- The People Pharmacy
Women’s Health
Fitness
General Health
- WebMD
- National Center for Biotechnology Information
- Your Disease Risk
- Mayo Clinic
- Duke Integrative Medicine
Conditions