For many, having optimal health often only means focusing on the physical aspects, forgoing the significant role emotions can play in one’s well-being. In a clip shared on Instagram from his podcast, Peter Attia, MD., renowned author and physician explains the importance of emotional health, and how prioritizing it can do wonders for your longevity.
Peter Attia MD is a leading voice in the world of longevity
Emotional health focuses on how well we can regulate our emotions, as it refers to our awareness, and ability to cope with both negative and positive feelings. As a result, the state of our emotional health can affect quality of life, as it impacts how well someone can function day to day.
How Does Emotional Health Affect Longevity?
“I think there is enough evidence, though you could never prove it, that a person who’s managing their stress better, who’s happier and who has better relationships probably also lives longer.” – Peter Attia, MD
As mentioned, emotional health refers to how well we manage our emotions and, for many, their stress levels and coping mechanisms aren’t always the healthiest.
According to a 2021 Yale study, chronic stress can shorten one’s lifespan by accelerating their biological age. That said, study participants who showed higher levels of emotion regulation and self-control were more resilient to the effects of stress on aging.
Regarding poor emotional regulation, some people may turn to coping mechanisms like emotional eating, smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol as a way to relieve stress. However, these habits can increase the risk for many conditions that include disordered eating, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Signs of Poor Emotional Health
Stress is a normal part of life. Yet, you may be struggling with poor emotional health if you begin to exhibit the following symptoms;
- Changes in sleep patterns – over-sleeping or insomnia
- Changes in eating patterns – over-eating or barely eating at all
- Increased use of substances – alcohol, cigarettes, illicit drugs
- Feelings of fatigue, irritability, guilt, and worthlessness
- Loss of interest in professional and personal life
- Neglecting hygiene and personal care
8 Ways To Improve Emotional Health
“Why would you ever choose to be unhappy? It doesn’t make sense. I think what maybe for me was a big insight late in life was, you can do something about this.” – Peter Attia, MD
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries can ensure that you do not become overwhelmed or experience burnout.
Maintain healthy interpersonal relationships
Community is important, so much so that the world’s longest living people cite strong communal relations as one of their longevity hacks.
Improve intrapersonal relationships
As Buddha said, “what you think, you become”. If your thoughts are negative, then you may adopt a negative mindset and outlook on life. As such, it’s advisable to focus on positive-self take.
Avoid substances
Unfortunately, it can be easy to become reliant on alcohol and other substances during stressful times. Thus, it’s best to stay clear of them.
Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep can affect your ability to regulate your emotions. Try to always get your 7–8 hours.
Stay active
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve your emotional health, thanks to the release of endorphins. The best part is that you don’t need to sign up for a HIIT class, as going for a walk or dancing in your living room can still improve your mood.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a great way to increase awareness and emotional regulation. As such, trying mindfulness activities like mediation can help you better understand your thoughts and emotions.
Reach out
Life can be stressful at times, so it’s understandable when our emotional health takes a hit. Unfortunately, sometimes that hit can significantly impact our longevity. Therefore, if you feel that your emotional health is impacting your quality of life, it is imperative that you reach out to a mental health professional for assistance.
About Peter Attia MD
Peter Attia, MD, is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan. He is the host of The Drive, one of the most popular podcasts covering the topics of health and medicine.
Dr Attia received his medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine. He trained for five years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in general surgery, where he was the recipient of several prestigious awards, including resident of the year. Dr Attia spent two years at the National Institutes of Health as a surgical oncology fellow at the National Cancer Institute, where his research focused on immune-based therapies for melanoma.
He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and three kids.
Quicklinks if you want to know more about Dr Peter Attia
References
@peterattiamd (2024). Instagram. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/peterattiamd (Accessed: 24 September 2024).
Harvanek, Z. M., Fogelman, N., Xu, K., & Sinha, R. (2021). Psychological and biological resilience modulates the effects of stress on epigenetic aging. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01735-7
MAIN IMAGE CREDIT: Photo by Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels
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