Mental health and physical health are closely linked. Depression raises the risk of long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and having a long-term condition raises the risk of a mental health condition (CDC: about mental health). Looking after one helps the other.
How common mental health conditions are
Nearly 1 in 7 people worldwide live with a mental disorder (WHO: mental disorders). In the US, nearly 1 in 5 adults live with a mental health condition (CDC: about mental health).
Effective treatment exists, but many people don't get it. The World Health Organization (WHO) says only about a third of people with depression receive formal mental health care (WHO: mental disorders).
Nearly 1 in 7 people worldwide live with a mental disorder (WHO: mental disorders). In the US, nearly 1 in 5 adults live with a mental health condition (CDC: about mental health).
Effective treatment exists, but many people don't get it. The World Health Organization (WHO) says only about a third of people with depression receive formal mental health care (WHO: mental disorders).
How the mind affects the body
Depression increases the risk of many long-term physical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke (CDC: about mental health). Severe mental illness can also shorten lives. WHO says people with schizophrenia die on average 9 years earlier than the general population (WHO: mental disorders).
Stress shows up in the body too. It can cause stomach problems, headaches and muscle pain, and change how much you eat, drink or exercise (NHS Every Mind Matters: stress).
Depression increases the risk of many long-term physical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke (CDC: about mental health). Severe mental illness can also shorten lives. WHO says people with schizophrenia die on average 9 years earlier than the general population (WHO: mental disorders).
Stress shows up in the body too. It can cause stomach problems, headaches and muscle pain, and change how much you eat, drink or exercise (NHS Every Mind Matters: stress).
How the body affects the mind
Living with a long-term condition can increase the risk of developing a mental health condition (CDC: about mental health).
Sleep matters as well. Not getting enough good-quality sleep is linked to depression, and can make you feel irritable or anxious (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency).
Living with a long-term condition can increase the risk of developing a mental health condition (CDC: about mental health).
Sleep matters as well. Not getting enough good-quality sleep is linked to depression, and can make you feel irritable or anxious (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency).
Habits that help both
- Be active. Physical activity can lower the risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better (CDC: benefits of physical activity).
- Stay connected. WHO says strong social connections can lead to better health and a longer life. Loneliness affects 1 in 6 people worldwide and is linked to more than 871,000 deaths a year (WHO: social connection).
- Look after your wellbeing. The NHS suggests connecting with other people, being physically active, learning new skills, giving to others and paying attention to the present moment (NHS: 5 steps to mental wellbeing).
- Protect your sleep. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours (NHS: insomnia).
If you have a long-term condition, tell your doctor if your mood is low.
- Be active. Physical activity can lower the risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better (CDC: benefits of physical activity).
- Stay connected. WHO says strong social connections can lead to better health and a longer life. Loneliness affects 1 in 6 people worldwide and is linked to more than 871,000 deaths a year (WHO: social connection).
- Look after your wellbeing. The NHS suggests connecting with other people, being physically active, learning new skills, giving to others and paying attention to the present moment (NHS: 5 steps to mental wellbeing).
- Protect your sleep. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours (NHS: insomnia).
If you have a long-term condition, tell your doctor if your mood is low.
When to get help
See a GP or doctor if you've had symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks (NHS: symptoms of depression). Symptoms can include low mood, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, a lack of energy and disturbed sleep.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, or you feel unable to keep yourself safe, contact emergency services or a local crisis line straight away.
See a GP or doctor if you've had symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks (NHS: symptoms of depression). Symptoms can include low mood, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, a lack of energy and disturbed sleep.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, or you feel unable to keep yourself safe, contact emergency services or a local crisis line straight away.
The bottom line
Your mind and body affect each other. Depression raises the risk of physical illness, and long-term illness raises the risk of depression. Regular activity, good sleep and staying connected help both, and getting help early matters.
Not medically reviewed. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.
Your mind and body affect each other. Depression raises the risk of physical illness, and long-term illness raises the risk of depression. Regular activity, good sleep and staying connected help both, and getting help early matters.
Not medically reviewed. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.
Sources
- About Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed 20 August 2026
- Mental disorders, World Health Organization fact sheet, 11 September 2026
- Stress, NHS Every Mind Matters, updated 29 September 2026
- What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency?, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, last updated 24 March 2022
- Benefits of Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed 4 December 2025
- Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death, World Health Organization, 30 June 2025
- 5 steps to mental wellbeing, NHS, last reviewed 16 December 2022
- Insomnia, NHS, last reviewed 19 March 2024
- Symptoms of depression in adults, NHS, last reviewed 5 July 2023
- About Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed 20 August 2026
- Mental disorders, World Health Organization fact sheet, 11 September 2026
- Stress, NHS Every Mind Matters, updated 29 September 2026
- What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency?, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, last updated 24 March 2022
- Benefits of Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed 4 December 2025
- Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death, World Health Organization, 30 June 2025
- 5 steps to mental wellbeing, NHS, last reviewed 16 December 2022
- Insomnia, NHS, last reviewed 19 March 2024
- Symptoms of depression in adults, NHS, last reviewed 5 July 2023
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