Mental Health is Health: Why We Cannot Separate the Two

UGH! It happens all the time – we often hear about mental health as if it’s a distinct entity, something separate from our overall physical health. But the truth is, mental health is health—it’s an integral part of our physiological well-being, deeply connected to our bodies. The idea that we can have mental health without considering our physical state is not just misleading—it’s incomplete. To truly thrive, we must embrace the holistic health concept.

The Physiological Connection Between Mind and Body

Science has long supported the idea that mental health is intrinsically linked to our physical health. Our brain, the organ responsible for our thoughts, emotions, and mental processes, is just as much a part of our body as our heart or lungs. When we engage in physical activity, our bodies release endorphins—often referred to as “feel-good” hormones—which directly affect our mood and mental state. According to research from Harvard Medical School, regular exercise can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even lower rates of depression by affecting brain chemistry and reducing stress​.  Hmmmmm, improve mood? Reduce anxiety? Reduce depression?  Wow, it sounds a lot like improving our mental health.  The connection is clear.  Physical health is part of mental health and vice versa.

Further supporting this, a study led by Stanford University found that walking in nature for just 90 minutes can reduce activity in brain regions associated with depression. This study highlights the calming and restorative effects of natural environments on mental health, reinforcing the concept that our mental well-being is closely tied to our physical actions and surroundings​.

You Don’t Have to Be in Triathlon Shape

Understanding that physical health is crucial for mental well-being doesn’t mean we all need to be training for an Ironman. It’s not about achieving peak physical performance but about maintaining a level of activity that supports both your body and mind. Walking in nature, practicing yoga, or simply moving your body regularly can have profound effects on your mental health. Even 10 minutes of light exercise can shift your mental state in a positive direction​. The key is to find an activity that suits your current state of health and build from there.

The Importance of Physical Fitness for Veteran Mental Health

For veterans, the connection between physical and mental health is even more significant. During service, physical fitness was not just a routine—it was a way of life, a vital part of our ability to perform our duties. When veterans transition to civilian life, maintaining physical fitness is not just about staying in shape; it’s about preserving a sense of identity, purpose, and mental clarity.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has explored how physical activity can serve as an effective treatment for PTSD, a condition that many veterans face. Research from the VA suggests that exercise can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, providing a non-pharmaceutical option that benefits both mental and physical health. This is especially important for veterans, as staying active helps maintain the mental resilience cultivated during their service​.

A Call to Action: Reconnect with Your Health

If you’re reading this and feeling that your mental health is not where you want it to be, take a moment to reflect on your physical activity. Are you moving enough? Are you giving your body the chance to support your mind? Start small, be kind to yourself, and remember that every step counts. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a gentle stretch, or just standing up and moving more frequently your body and mind will thank you.

For veterans, consider revisiting the physical routines that once were a part of your daily life. You don’t need to train like you’re heading back into the field, but staying active can help maintain the discipline, strength, and mental clarity that defined your service.

Let’s embrace the idea that health is holistic. By caring for our bodies, we care for our minds. Together, let’s take that first step—because true health is a journey that unites both body and mind.

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References:

1. Harvard Medical School. Regular Exercise Can Improve Mental Health. Retrieved from Harvard Health.
2. Stanford University. Stanford Researchers Find Mental Health Prescription: Nature. Retrieved from Bio-X.
3. Stanford University. A One-Hour Walk in Nature Decreases Activity in the Stress-Related Regions of the Brain. Retrieved from Stanford Center on Longevity.
4. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Exercise May Be Useful Treatment Option for Veterans with PTSD. Retrieved from VA Research Communications.
5. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. PTSD and Physical Health. Retrieved from National Center for PTSD.

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This first appeared in The Havok Journal on September 2, 2024.

JC Glick serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The COMMIT Foundation. JC brings with him a wealth of experience as a leadership consultant and career Army officer and is driven by a deep commitment to supporting veterans in their transition journey. Since transitioning from 20 years of military service in 2015, JC has been a founder and partner of two leadership companies, where his clients included Fortune 500 companies, international non-profit organizations, government agencies, the NFL, numerous NFL and NBA teams, and multiple NCAA programs.

Over the course of his Army career, JC spent over seven years in the Ranger regiment, serving in two Ranger Battalions as well as Regimental Headquarters, participating in the Best Ranger Competition twice, and has over seven and a half years of command time with 11 operational and combat deployments to Haiti, Bangladesh, Iraq, and Afghanistan. JC is the author of two books, including A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown. In 2017, he was selected as a TEDX Speaker and delivered Rethinking Leadership at TEDX Hammond. JC is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island and is a Liberty Fellow, part of the Aspen Institute.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.