(732) 222-2219 
(732) 222-2219
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
In other words, health is more complex than just the measurement of a scale and what’s looking back at you in a mirror. A healthy person should feel well in the mind, body, and spirit. I still use the definition of health that I learned in college 40 years ago, which expands the optimal state of health to account for physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual
The last four components – mental, emotional, social, and spiritual – fall under the umbrella of mental health. Mental health is represented in three different tiers of the Pyramid of Health.
Of course, mental health is part of every tier of the Pyramid of Health to some degree because you can’t get to the top of the pyramid – Feel Better, Function Better, Live Longer – without accounting for mental health.
For example, the mental stress we place on our bodies has a direct impact on physical stress, and vice versa. Stress is one of the primary causes of obesity, heart disease, stroke, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic and acute conditions.
This is a big reason why Mental Health Awareness Month is so important to the Natural Healthcare Center family. One out of every eight people in the world lives with a mental health disorder, according to the World Health Organization. We believe in increasing awareness of mental health, breaking the stigma of negative attitudes and stereotypes related to those struggling with their mental health, and supporting those who need help.
Every individual processes stress differently. We’re all built and wired differently. Some of us are ready to slow down in the evening, while others come alive at night. Neither is right or wrong. That’s just part of bio-individuality in action.
Keep in mind that stress is not a bad word. When I go to the gym and work out, I experience healthy stress. When I see my kids pounding the books to get good grades, that’s healthy stress. This is essential to growth and development. Nothing grows without disruption.
We all have our own stress barometers that help guide our daily lifestyle choices. My physical body should not be at the gym when I’m mentally drained. I shouldn’t interact with certain people in my life if I’m in a heightened stress response or chemically dysfunctional. It’s up to us as individuals to recognize changes in our stress levels and take appropriate action.
If you’re having difficulty processing stress, you can come to Natural Healthcare Center for a one-on-one consultation and testing. We can measure stress through a variety of testing, including urine and blood, and develop a strategy for changing your stress response.
When we see patients who show symptoms of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and other clinical mental health disorders, we may refer for counseling. It doesn’t matter if the symptoms are related to the injury or condition we’re treating. It’s all about understanding the true definition of health and supporting every patient’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
Mental illness is as serious as physical illness and should be treated as such. This is one of many reasons why I’m excited to have been invited to speak at the upcoming Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health event in June.
As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month throughout the month of May, I encourage you to educate yourself and your family about mental health conditions, symptoms, treatment options, and counseling services in your area.
Look out for yourself and each other. Support each other. If you suspect a loved one is struggling through a rough patch, learn how to approach them constructively about seeking help. And if you know someone dealing with a mental health crisis, call 988 for immediate, compassionate support.
Dr. James Proodian is an accomplished chiropractic physician, health educator, and professional public speaker who founded Proodian Healthcare Family of Companies to help people feel better, function better, and live longer. His expertise is in identifying clinical imbalances and restoring the body to health and functionality. Contact: jproodian@naturalhc.com or (732) 222‑2219.