Despite the availability of vaccines, the threats posed by the pandemic to our well being still exist since the virus continues to evolve into stronger strains. Actually, even before the COVID-19 outbreak our anxiety over various elements and factors in our environment has been affecting the quality of our life.

Nowadays, mental health is a great concern because feelings of anxiety, can lead to depression. Mental health experts give advice that maintaining physical health is the best way to stay strong and resilient against the stressful effects of worrying over matters that can disrupt our lives.

The point is, worrying is one thing, taking action to prevent those environmental factors from impacting our physical health is another. That is why lifestyle change is the oft recommended first step to improving physical and mental health.

Common Examples of Environmental Factors that Can Affect our Physical and Mental Well Being

Many of the food we consume today use synthetic chemicals as ingredients in the form of additives and preservatives. Some other products were grown using harmful pesticides or methods of genetic modification.

In many places, the quality of the water is not potable due to certain contaminants present in the source. Examples of the most common contaminants found in water are lead, arsenic and other chemicals illegally dumped by manufacturers of industrial products.

Other known environmental elements that affect physical health include air and noise pollution, natural weather disturbances that lead to flooding, wildfires, freezing temperatures and other catastrophic events like earthquake, tsunamis and tornadoes.

Previous studies conducted by U.S. military researchers suggested that electromagnetic waves emitted by handheld devices can cause mood disorders that lead to anxiety and depression. However, determining the link between electromagnetic waves and their mood-altering effects on humans, is said to require more controlled clinical studies involving larger groups of people.

Lifestyle Changes that Can Help Improve Our Physical and Mental Health

The degree of our exposure to some of these environmental elements is partly under our control. Lifestyle change is one way we can reduce the impact of environmental stressors affecting our health.

A change of location where there are fewer environmental hazards can do a lot to reduce our anxieties. However, such kind of lifestyle change is not always feasible because there are other factors to consider, such as work availability and financial capability.

The important thing is to adopt changes in behaviors and habits in ways that boost physical health. Bear in mind that a properly functioning body is the basic foundation of good mental health. People who are physically well are able to think and perform well despite stressful conditions that come their way. Having the advantage of possessing stronger mental facilities, is mainly due to the soundness of one’s physical health.

How Lifestyle Changes Can Help Address Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety are natural responses that the body deals with by producing the stress hormone cortisol and the energy-boosting adrenaline. Yet any lack or excess of nutrients can affect the mechanisms that regulate the production of these hormones.

Sleep deprivation is also detrimental to one’s physical health, Mainly because the tissues making up the organs of our body have fewer chances of completing the repair, regeneration and revitalization processes that take place during a sleep cycle of at least 6 to 7 hours.

Staying active both physically and mentally is another important behavior. Regular exercises as simple as walking or running help in the blood circulation processes. The body’s circulatory system is responsible for distributing the nutrients, minerals and biochemical substances needed by our body in order to function properly.

Lifestyle changes may include taking additional supplements formulated with organic ingredients that can improve immune systems, help us get better sleep and furnish us with energy that we need, especially in fight-or-flight situations.