Is Your Body Messing with Your Mind?

These days, we talk more openly about mental health, which is great. But here’s something we don’t talk about enough: not every low mood, mental fog, or anxious episode results from stress or trauma. Sometimes, our brains are just reacting to what’s going on in our bodies.

To be clear – mental health issues can have many causes, and not all of them are physical. Some struggles run very deep and need professional help and takes lots of time to heal. This type of mental health issues can't be dealt with just by fixing physical factors. That being aid, taking care of our bodies can help us recover better.

Let’s look at how our bodies and brains are connected.

Low Blood Sugar

Do you ever suddenly feel anxious, dizzy, shaky, or unusually moody? You might just be hungry. When blood sugar drops, your brain doesn't get the fuel it needs, which can lead to irritability or panic-like symptoms. That’s why it's important to avoid skipping meals and carry around some snacks, especially ones with slow-releasing energy like fruit, cheese, or whole grains.

Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure can make you feel light-headed, spacey, tired, or down. It can limit blood flow to the brain, making it hard for you to focus or stay upbeat. Research has found that people (particularly young adults and women) with low blood pressure are more likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety.

If you’re feeling faint or foggy often, it's worth checking in with a doctor to see if your blood pressure is alright.

Sleep Deprivation

This one is HUGE! When you don’t sleep enough, almost every part of your mental health takes a hit – focus, memory, emotional control, and even your ability to feel happy. You might think you’re just down, but actually it's your exhausted brains malfunctioning and screaming for help. Most teens need 8–10 hours of sleep. And no, five hours of sleep and a Rockstar just doesn’t cut it! So, stop your late-night scrolling if you do that often.

Ultra-Processed Diet

Frequently eating junk food can impact your gut health, which affects your brain. Yes, the gut and brain are connected. Don’t believe me? Look up “gut-brain axis". Diets with lots of saturated fats and sugar can trigger more inflammation in the body and contribute to symptoms of depression in some people.

It’s ok to have a few fries, a burger, or a coke occasionally, but don't overdo it. Remember that more whole food = better mood.

Lack of Sunlight

If you’ve been indoors for days and feel kind of low or drained, you might be dealing with something called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or just low vitamin D. Sunlight helps regulate your mood chemicals like serotonin. Make sure you at least 15-30 minutes of light a day. You can do this through a walk or sitting by the window. Sunshine can lift your spirits more than you expect. Pay special attention to this in winter, when you might be reluctant to go outside due to the cold weather.

Some people also use special “light therapy” lamps at home in the winter. These lamps give off bright, UV-filtered light that mimics daylight and can help with seasonal low mood. But these lights are not a cure-all. If you have eye problems or a serious mental health condition, you should talk to a doctor first.

Lack of Movement

Physical movement triggers the brain to release endorphins. These are natural feel-good chemicals that boost mood, lower stress hormones, and help you sleep more deeply. That's why physical exercises make us happy! If you can manage a hard-core workout routine in the gym, all the best. But even just stretching, walking, dancing, biking, or playing outside for 20 minutes per day can help.

When you sit too much and lack physical exercise, you don't get endorphins at all, which can make you feel mentally dull.

So What Can You Do?

Next time you’re feeling off, it could help to check in with your body. Ask yourself:

• Did I eat something in the last few hours?

• When was the last time I drank water?

• Have I slept enough over the past few nights?

• Have I gotten any sunlight?

• Am I living mostly on chips, instant noodles, bubble tea, and energy drinks?

• Did I move at all today?

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References:

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Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). The gut microbiome. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/

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