The Overlooked Connection: How Physical Hygiene Affects Your Mental State
Did you know that feeling physically unwell can take a toll on our mental health and even change who we are as people? It's truly fascinating how aches, pains, and declining physical hygiene / health can influence our personality and state of mind.
Think about it: when we're not feeling well, it's tough to feel happy. It's just not in our nature to crave discomfort and pain. Even if we don't feel physically ill, our mental health can still be affected. For instance, a gut infection like H.Pylori or a parasite can cause anxiety without us even realizing it.
The truth is, our body is interconnected. And today, we're going to delve into the vital link between physical health, minerals and our mental wellbeing.
Connection between physical hygiene, minerals, and mental health
Our HTMA analyzes essential mineral status and heavy metal toxicity levels to provide answers about your body. It reveals issues in various systems like the nervous system, adrenals, thyroid, immune system, digestive system, steroid hormone system, and blood sugar. Surprisingly, mineral imbalances can stem from trauma or poor mental health, impacting physical well-being. That's why optimizing your physical health is crucial for feeling energized and well every day.
From the calcium that helps build your bones to the iron that carries oxygen in your blood, minerals have a huge impact on our body's ability to function at its best. But did you know that these minerals can also play a role in our mental health? Take magnesium for instance, which has shown to alleviate symptoms of depression, or consider low levels of zinc that are associated with a higher risk of anxiety. It's truly fascinating how everything in our bodies connects, and taking care of physical health positively impacts mental well-being as well.
Examples of mineral ratios and their connection to mental health
Have you ever heard of the Na:K ratio? It may sound like a complex scientific term, but it's actually a pretty interesting concept to consider. By analyzing the amounts of sodium and potassium present in us, we can determine the Na:K ratio, which is also sometimes referred to as the Vitality Ratio or the Life and Death Ratio. It's amazing to think that these two minerals can have such a significant impact on our overall health.
A high ratio implies that a person may be holding onto anger or experiencing acute emotional distress as sodium represents inflammation, pain, or infection when high. Conversely, a low ratio indicates unresolved mental or emotional trauma that may impede daily living. Check out our blog post here to learn more.
Another ratio that you may not have heard about before is the Ca:Mg ratio, also known as the Lifestyle Ratio. This ratio looks at the levels of calcium and magnesium in our bodies, and specifically how they relate to our ability to adapt to change. If you have a high Lifestyle Ratio, it could mean that you're holding on to old habits or ideas that no longer serve you.
A low ratio with magnesium being higher, on the other hand, indicates a struggle in setting boundaries, leaving one vulnerable to life's stressors. You can find more information on this ratio on our blog post here.
The intertwined nature of physical hygiene and mental health
Understanding how our biochemical levels can affect us both physically and emotionally is fascinating. Our mineral status can represent emotional states that we may not be aware of. We've been taught to disconnect our physical body from our feelings, but they are intertwined. Disease, illness, or aches and pains may be due to our mental state or vice versa.
For example, have you ever opted out of a workout and felt depressed? Movement is crucial for our health and mental well-being. It keeps us stimulated and entertained, so it's not a surprise that movement can affect our mental state.
Or how about for women, when they’re in different parts of their cycle, there are varying hormonal levels at different times of the month which influence a woman’s resilience to stress, ability to be social, and energy to power through work. They’re physiological changes throughout their cycle directly affects their mental state, and that’s something they can’t fully control (to a certain extent of course).
Our physical and mental wellbeing are intertwined, and we can learn a lot about both through a hair mineral analysis (HTMA). Minerals are essential for bodily functions like bone strength and brain function. An HTMA analyzes mineral levels and ratios in hair to identify potential deficiencies or imbalances that affect our overall health. Even a single strand of hair can reveal so much about our bodies! If you want to gain a deeper understanding of your health, consider getting an HTMA done. The insights may surprise you.
If you're curious to learn more about this emotional-mineral connection, check out these additional articles.
The Bowl Pattern
The L Pattern
The Step Up Pattern
If you’re looking to order a hair test today, click here!
Barbara Madimenos
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Practitioner
Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
Integrative Health Coach