Physical and Emotional Needs

Day to day life stressors have the ability to take a toll on our emotional and physical well-being. When the stressors win out, we are susceptible to unhealthy coping behaviors that can lead to health problems such as weight gain, depression, heart disease and diabetes.

Physical needs require a balance of regular exercise, healthy nutrition and adequate rest. These are all critical in allowing you to do what you need on a daily basis. However, when one of these is lacking, usually all areas suffer.

Regular exercise may help to:

• Increase the function of the circulatory and respiratory systems
• Enhance overall metabolism
• Improve cognitive function
• Improve the immune system
• Increase strength, flexibility and balance
• Decrease stress

Recognizing problems related to not meeting our physical needs is usually easier than recognizing emotional needs not being met. Many people ignore their emotional needs. Instead of dealing with these needs coping becomes an easy strategy.

Some basic human emotional needs include:

• Friendship, love and intimacy
• Community and a sense of belonging
• Goals- bringing meaning and purpose to life
• A stimulating environment
• Status, self-worth and competence

Recognizing that physical and emotional needs are an integral part of our overall well-being is the first step. Soul searching and developing plans in which to restore balance both physically and emotionally may help to avoid health problems from developing and/or progressing.

By: Molly McBrayer, Clinical Manager, Roper St. Francis Bariatric and Metabolic Services