Mental Health is Physical Health (My Struggle with GERD and Anxiety)

 

Mental Health is Physical Health

I recently came across an article on WebMD by Dr. Jennifer Robinson, MD, and felt compelled to reflect and amplify this message: Mental health is physical health. (Read it here.)

There’s no separating the two—they are one and the same. While we often treat them as different aspects of well-being, they are deeply interconnected. Let me explain why.

The mind and body constantly influence each other in ways we can’t ignore.

My Story: When Stress Took a Physical Toll

When one part of our health suffers, the other follows. I learned this firsthand.

As a content writer, my job often comes with tight deadlines. My team relies on my work before they can create videos, graphics, and other content, which means the pressure is high. On top of that, success is measured by results, so overthinking, stress, and even people-pleasing became part of my daily routine.

The constant stress took its toll. I started feeling burned out, numb, and disconnected—even from basic needs like eating. It didn’t seem like a big deal at first. 

I often skipped breakfast, thinking I’d make up for it later with lunch and dinner. But over time, my appetite faded, and before I knew it, eating became an afterthought. Then, my body started sounding the alarm. I felt dizzy, and my stomach burned with severe pain. 

At one point, I was so overwhelmed with nausea and discomfort that I couldn’t even stand up straight. I assumed an over-the-counter remedy would fix it, but soon after, I experienced palpitations, shortness of breath, and a burning sensation rising into my chest and throat. That was my wake-up call.

A visit to the doctor confirmed I had GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)—caused by unmanaged stress and poor eating habits. I was prescribed medication to help my gut heal, and thankfully, it worked. 

I could feel the medicine soothing the burning in my stomach, like a warm blanket calming my insides. The first few days were tough—I could only eat soft foods like oatmeal and broth. Even after starting treatment, I still experienced dizziness, nausea, headaches, and palpitations. But it was nothing compared to the worst day of my GERD attack.

This experience forced me to rethink my habits. I realized I couldn't take stress lightly anymore. My unhealthy lifestyle had pushed me to the edge, and I never wanted to feel that way again. 

While the fear of another GERD flare-up still lingers, it has motivated me to make lasting changes. Now, I’m committed to exercising, managing stress better, and maintaining a balanced diet—avoiding trigger foods and prioritizing my health.

The Link Between Mental and Physical Health

So how does this all connect back to the idea that mental health is physical health?

For me, the stress from my job didn’t just affect my workload—it affected my entire well-being. I lost sleep trying to meet client demands. I tied my self-worth to approval, feeling drained when I didn’t get a “yes.” 

Over time, this people-pleasing became anxiety, then depression. The pressure consumed me until I had nothing left to give, and it paralyzed me to the point I couldn't do a basic thing like eating. As a result, my GERD and anxiety story.

That’s when it hit me: mental stress can manifest as physical illness. My mind and body weren’t separate—they were one. And if I wanted to heal, I needed to take care of both.

We only have one body, and every part of it—brain, heart, muscles, and nerves—functions as a unified system. Taking care of our mental well-being is just as crucial as taking care of our physical health because they are deeply connected.

• Exercise, sleep, and nutrition support both mind and body.
• Therapy, meditation, and stress management improve not just our thoughts but our overall health.

There is no dividing line between the two—our mental health and physical health are part of the same whole. So if you want a healthier, happier life, take care of both.