Men frequently find themselves balancing a number of responsibilities in today's fast-paced environment, including demanding work and family duties. One's own health may be neglected as a result of this never-ending hustle. Many people prioritize their physical fitness over their mental health, which can have long-term effects.

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Talking about mental health might be considered taboo in India, where males are sometimes pressured by society to appear tough and composed. This hesitation may lead to a risky loop in which untreated mental health issues affect physical health and vice versa. After all, it is rightly said that the mind and body are not separate. What affects one, affects the other.

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It is crucial to comprehend the complex connection between mental and physical health, particularly for males. This blog explores the significance of mental and physical health, their connections, and steps that men can take to attain holistic health. It has never been easier to handle these issues thanks to the availability of platforms like Rocket Health India.

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Physical and Mental Health in Men

Physical Health in Men

The body's total functioning, including immunity, muscular strength, metabolic health, and cardiovascular fitness, is referred to as physical health. Due to lifestyle variables like poor diet, sedentary behavior, and high levels of stress, men in India frequently experience health issues. The prevalence of abdominal obesity and diabetes amongst Men in India has been found to be 51.77% and 8.65% respectively (R. D. Gupta et al., 2023). According to a study, the prevalence of self-reported cardiac disease among Indian men aged 15 to 54 was 1050 per 1,000,000 men (Ram et al., 2023). These problems are further compounded by the societal norm of putting work before personal care.

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Mental Health in Men

Equally vital is mental wellness, which is frequently disregarded. Because of social pressure to fit into traditional roles, men are more likely to experience problems like stress, anxiety, and depression. For extended periods, men's mental health challenges may go undiagnosed because it is sometimes disguised as irritation, aggression, or social disengagement. They may also resort to substance abuse as a coping strategy for unresolved emotional anguish or stress.

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Men are more than twice as likely as women to die by suicide worldwide (World Health Organization, 2021). Men are prevented from openly discussing mental health difficulties due to the stigma associated with seeking help. According to Boysen (2016), men may be more susceptible to stigmatized attitudes and ideas around mental illness because having a mental illness goes against gender norms that include masculine strength and independence, which equate men who disclose a mental illness with weakness and dependence. For society to advance, it is essential to establish a safe space where men can freely talk about their mental health.

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The Connection Between Physical and Mental Health in Men

There is a two-way interaction between physical and mental health, with the state of one immediately affecting the other. This relationship is especially important for men since social pressures frequently call for mental grit and physical strength while neglecting the delicate balance necessary for actual health.
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Impact of Physical Health on Mental Health

Exercise and Mood: Frequent exercise releases endorphins, sometimes referred to as "happy hormones," which elevate mood. Research relating physical activity to anxiety and depression has surfaced, indicating that physical activity can be a suitable natural process to aid in the treatment and prevention of these mental health issues (Salazar et al., 2019).
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Chronic Illnesses and Mental Health:Research has shown that mental health issues are strongly linked to the four categories of chronic diseases: asthma, renal disease, coronary heart disease, and cholesterol disease (Huang et al., 2023).
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Sleep and Cognitive Function: Sleep is crucial for regulating emotions and mental clarity, and it is frequently disturbed by poor physical health. The relationship between sleep and mental health is bi-directional. According to Turkistani et al. (2023), individuals who suffer from sleep disorders are more prone to suffer from severe psychological distress, anxiety, sadness, and suicidal thoughts.

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Impact of Mental Health on Physical Health

Stress and Physical Ailments: Prolonged stress raises cortisol levels, which can lead to weight gain, reduced immunity, and high blood pressure. A number of diseases, such as hypertension, elevated plasma cortisol, heart and cardiovascular disorders, inflammatory bowel syndromes, type 2 diabetes, and a lower quality of life for cancer patients, are all influenced by stress (Zafar et al., 2021).
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Mental Fatigue and Energy Levels: Men may experience physical exhaustion due to persistent mental exhaustion brought on by stress, anxiety, or depression. Even in the absence of vigorous exercise, this might show itself as trouble focusing, a lack of drive, and a general feeling of fatigue.
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Emotional Eating: Unhealthy eating patterns brought on by anxiety or depression can contribute to obesity, sleep issues and other physical health problems. According to a pan-India study conducted, the prevalence of emotional eating was reported to be 70.4% ( Pal et al., 2023).

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The Vicious Cycle

A vicious cycle of bad health is frequently created when mental health problems are made worse by physical health concerns. For example, a man who suffers from chronic pain may experience sadness, which might exacerbate the suffering.

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Furthermore, it is estimated that individuals with severe mental health disorders typically pass away 10–20 years before the general population, primarily as a result of preventable physical illnesses (WHO, 2022). Thus, improving one element can enhance the other. Better mental health can result from increased physical fitness, and vice versa.

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The Indian Context: Challenges and Solutions

Men in India face particular difficulties because of cultural stigma around mental health and traditional gender roles. Men struggle in silence because mental health is neglected while physical fitness is frequently praised. Additionally, men are often expected to be the major breadwinners, which causes a great deal of mental and financial strain.

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Furthermore, they are frequently discouraged from expressing vulnerability by strict family structures and social norms, which makes it challenging to get mental health care. This stress frequently leads to a greater propensity to use harmful coping strategies, which worsens general wellbeing. Thankfully, barriers are being broken down and answers are being provided by the growth of online therapy platforms like Rocket Health India.

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Why Online Therapy Can Help

Online therapy provides men with a safe, confidential, and easy way to get help without fear of being judged. It offers accessibility by enabling therapy sessions to take place in the convenience of one's own home, guaranteeing privacy that promotes openness. While male-centric counselors provide specialized support to meet the unique issues faced by males, flexible scheduling suits busy lifestyles.

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How Rocket Health India Helps

Rocket Health India provides comprehensive health solutions for men by fusing convenience, knowledge, and cultural significance. Fitness regimens, mental health counseling, and access to qualified experts who are aware of the particular difficulties experienced by Indian males are among their services.

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Additionally, Rocket Health places a strong emphasis on providing culturally competent care that is adapted to Indian lives. Rocket Health India guarantees that men can attain balanced physical and mental health from a single platform by offering cost-effective programs, awareness initiatives, and all-encompassing care.

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Conclusion

There is an indisputable link between men's physical and emotional well-being. It is critical to create an atmosphere that promotes holistic health in a nation like India where social conventions frequently deter men from getting treatment. Men can have healthier, more satisfying lives by comprehending and treating the complex link between the mind and body.

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By providing easily accessible and efficient solutions for both physical and mental well-being, online therapy platforms like Rocket Health India are transforming the way men approach health.

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Remember that making investments in your health is a show of strength rather than weakness. With Rocket Health India, take the first step right now.

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References

Boysen, G. A. (2016). Explaining the relation between masculinity and stigma toward mental illness: The relative effects of sex, gender, and behavior. Stigma and Health, 2(1), 66–79. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000041

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Gupta, R. D., Kothadia, R. J., & Parray, A. A. (2023). Association between abdominal obesity and diabetes in India: Findings from a nationally representative study. Diabetes Epidemiology and Management, 12, 100155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.deman.2023.100155

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Huang, Y., Loux, T., Huang, X., & Feng, X. (2023). The relationship between chronic diseases and mental health: A cross-sectional study. Mental Health & Prevention, 32, 200307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2023.200307

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Pal, S. N., Moitra, P., & Madan, J. (2023). Association of eating habits, sleep quality and perceived stress with emotional eating behaviour among Indian adults: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 8(1), 47-55.

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Ram, S., Chandra, R., Kundu, A., Singh, A., Singh, S., Tanti, A., Bhattacharjee, B., & Tripathi, P. (2023). Prevalence and determinants of self-reported heart disease among Indian men aged 15–54 years: Evidence from NFHS-5. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 23, 101374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2023.101374

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Salazar, C. F. D., Aguliera, E. T. M., Bolivar, L. a. R., & Parra, W. a. V. (2019). . Effects of physical exercise on depression and anxiety. Colombian Magazine of Rehabilitation. , 18(2), 128–145. https://doi.org/10.30788/revcolreh.v18.n2.2019.389. (In Spanish)

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Turkistani, O., Albalawi, A., Thabit, R., Alamri, H., Alshehri, N., Alsufyani, S., Qahtani, A. A., Mohammed, N., Althemairi, A., Ashour, L., & Alsuwilem, O. (2023). Relationship between sleep disorders and mental health. Journal of Healthcare Sciences, 03(06), 163–166. https://doi.org/10.52533/johs.2023.3060

The Connection Between Physical Health and Mental Health in Men