The Impact of Positive Mental State on Physical Health

Abstract

Mental and physical aspects of health in humans have long shared a symbiotic relationship, with various studies in Psychology acknowledging the same. Modern studies have increasingly focused on the impact of positive mental status on an individual’s physical well-being. Jerome E. Baum and Tasha E. Posluszny in 1999 published an article "Mapping Biobehavioural Contributions to Health and Illness" that probes into numerous aspects of health psychology, such as the effects of stress, coping mechanisms, health behaviour change, and the biopsychosocial model of health. Hippocrates, regarded as the father of Western medicine, proposed a theory of involving various body resources including blood, bile etc., which could influence a person's physical and mental health. He was one of the earliest to recognise the impact that psychological factors held on physical health and acknowledged the role that emotions such as anger, fear, and sadness held in influencing both physical and mental well-being. Psychotherapists and practicing physicians too have recognized the co-existence of psychological and physical disorders. What is missing though, is the specific link that connects emotional status with physical complaints in an individual, although the simultaneous existence of depressed mood and increased complaints of physical complaints is well documented. This research paper strives to delve into the existing literature to decode the multi-faceted connections that exist between positive mental states, like optimism, flexibility, persistence and happiness, and how they impact physical health outcomes. Using theoretical groundworks and empirical evidence, this paper aims to provide a far-reaching understanding of how physical health and overall well-being can be inculcated with a positive mental state.