How to Take Care of Your Mental Health: Stress, Resilience & Asking for Help

How does mental health affect physical health? Can stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological trauma actually change your physical health and health outcomes? In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with Dr. Elizabeth Willers, MD, a critical care pulmonologist and founder of The Goldfinch Foundation ‪@theGFF24‬, about the connection between mental health and physical health. Working in critical care, Dr. Willers saw firsthand how a patient's psychological well-being could affect their recovery and overall health. We discuss what happens to the mind and body during and after critical illness, why mental health deserves the same attention as physical health, and how resilience, stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological trauma can influence health outcomes. We also explore why mental health can look different across men and women, how to recognize when someone may need additional support, and what it can actually look like to take care of your mental health. Find Dr. Elizabeth Willers, MD: Instagram: @thegff24 Website: https://www.thegff.org Substack: https://substack.com/@drlizwillers Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science connecting the two. New episodes weekly. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:31 How Critical Care Affects Mental Health 07:25 How Mental Health Affects Physical Health 09:48 Does Resilience Improve Health Outcomes? 13:15 Why Mental Health Is Treated Differently From Physical Health 20:30 How Stress, Anxiety, Depression & Trauma Affect Physical Health 26:57 The Goldfinch Foundation 36:32 Are Men More Susceptible to Mental Health Risks? 42:57 Do Women Respond to Mental Health Differently? 49:17 Steps to Improve Mental Health 51:56 Signs Someone May Need More Support 54:30 What to Know When Asking for Help 58:40 Life Lessons From the ICU 1:03:20 Key Takeaways 1:04:25 From Victim to Hero in Your Own Story This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.