When we talk about mental health we should also consider physical health, the two being intrinsically linked. We’re not just a jumble of thoughts, emotions and memories riding around on top of a bag of meat and bones.

When we neglect or abuse one part of our ‘self’, we’re sure to drag the other down.  Early philosophies (and perhaps still some modern ones) treated the mind as a separate entity to the body, and was generally confined to the care of organised religion, whereas the body was entrusted to the physicians, butchers, barbers etc.

Luckily in these enlightened times we take a more holistic view of our general well-being. Spirituality and mindfulness have replaced organised religion (for a lot people – it’s still there if you want it) and we are advised to get regular exercise, drink in moderation, don’t do drugs etc – nag, nag, nag!  But in fairness it’s all good advice to help make sure each part of our being is capable of looking after the other.

I don’t have any solutions, but I would recommend reading Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker for a great insight into how closely linked mind and body actually are, and how sleep as a mental function can help both.

100 Voices was published in the Hot Press Mental Health Special in conjunction with Lyons Tea and Pieta House as part of the Now We're Talking Campaign. For more please visit hotpress.com/now-were-talking/