Is Mental Health as Important as Physical Health?

With Elliot & Stella

---

Can You Be Mentally Healthy Without Being Physically Healthy?

Elliot - So, I think it’s totally possible to be mentally healthy even if your physical health isn’t in perfect shape. Sure, you can have physical issues like chronic illnesses, but that doesn’t automatically mean your mental health is messed up. You can have a really good mental state even when your body is struggling.

Stella - Yeah, I’m with you on that. Mental health and physical health aren’t always connected in the way we think. Just because your body’s not in the best shape doesn’t mean you can’t still be happy, positive, and mentally healthy. That said, being physically healthy does help!

Exactly! Like, you could have low energy or other physical issues that might drag down your mental health. But, if you have a good support system, a positive mindset, and manage your stress, you can still be in a good place mentally. So it’s not black and white.

Does Being Physically Healthy Help Your Mental Health?

If you’re feeling energized and healthy physically, it makes everything else feel easier. You don’t have to worry about aches and pains or low energy. That way, you can focus on having fun and being present with people without being distracted by how you’re feeling physically.

I totally agree. Like, even small things like walking around the block can boost your mood. It’s not about being perfectly fit; it’s just about being active. And you don’t even have to be an expert at Pilates or running marathons. Any exercise releases hormones called endorphins which are the body’s natural mood booster, if you take the experience outdoors, or add in hanging out with friends even more endorphins are released.

Totally. My sister swears by Pilates. She says it’s not just good for her body, but it helps her sleep better and keeps her stress down. The physical activity definitely has an impact on how she feels mentally, too.

Can Being Physically Healthy Ever Be Harmful to Mental Health?

Yeah, sometimes when people focus too much on physical health—especially because of social media—they get caught up in how they look and what others think. Over-exercising or obsessing over body image can actually make your mental health worse, even if you’re “healthy” physically.

I see what you mean. It’s not the exercise itself that’s the problem, but the mindset behind it. If you’re working out for the wrong reasons or pushing yourself too hard to meet certain standards, it can lead to stress and anxiety. It’s all about finding balance.

Exactly. Exercise can be great for you, but if you’re doing it to meet unrealistic expectations, that’s where the mental toll comes in. So it’s important to keep that in check.

Should Schools Focus More on Mental Health Than Physical Health?

I feel like physical health education, like PE, gets all the attention. But schools are starting to make more efforts with mental health, like through mental health programs and incorporating stress management into the curriculum. However, I don’t think it’s quite hitting the mark yet.

Yeah, they try to teach mental health in classes, but it doesn’t really do the job. I think students aren’t as engaged with mental health topics because it’s not really practical or relatable in how it’s taught. They could do more interactive workshops or something. Really, to be completely relatable, the content needs to be driven by the students themselves, they are the ones experiencing the challenges.

Right. It’s all about finding a balance. Schools need to teach both physical and mental health, but they need to make the mental health content more engaging. Honestly, I think they’ve been doing physical health for so long that mental health is still catching up.

True. They need to understand it’s not just about PE class; it’s about real mental health struggles students face. I think if they tackled bullying and mental health issues head-on, it would be way more beneficial.

Are Physical Injuries Easier to Deal With Than Mental Health Issues?

Physical injuries are often easier to see, so people know what’s going on and how to fix it. But mental health struggles, like anxiety or depression, are invisible. People often don’t understand them, or can’t even see them, and you have to deal with them on your own.

Physical injuries usually have a clear path to recovery—like a cast for a broken arm or meds for a headache. But with mental health, it’s a lot of personal work and sometimes professional help. Plus, it’s hard for people to see what you’re going through, so it’s harder to get support.

Yeah, and I think that’s why mental health can sometimes feel even harder. People don’t always know how to support you, and there’s not always a quick fix like there is with physical injuries.

Which Should Teenagers Focus on More — Physical or Mental Health?

I think mental health should get more attention. Between school, sports, and social stuff, they’re already doing a lot physically. But mental health is something a lot of people don’t think about until it’s too late. You could be running on empty without even realizing it.

Totally! Teenagers have so much going on, but I think a lot of them don’t realise how much mental health matters. Like, you might be fine physically, but if your mental health is struggling, it can make everything else harder. They need to learn how to cope with stress, anxiety, and other challenges.

Yeah, schools should teach more about mental health. I mean, you don’t have to be a mental health expert, but learning how to manage your thoughts, emotions, and stress will set you up for life.