Connecting Mental and Physical Health: Insights and Strategies for Wellness
Morning breakout session II 11:10-12:00 PM
Connecting Mental and Physical Health: Insights and Strategies for Wellness
This presentation takes a closer look at the powerful connection between mental and physical health, showing how the two constantly influence each other. We’ll explore how mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression can show up in the body as fatigue, chronic pain, or even heart problems. At the same time, we’ll examine how physical health issues, like chronic illness or injuries, can affect your emotional well-being and mindset.
You’ll gain insights into how the mind and body are linked through key systems like the stress response, the gut-brain axis, and inflammation. Real-life examples will help explain how conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), autoimmune disorders, and migraines can be tied to both mental and physical health.
But understanding the connection is just the beginning—this presentation is also about taking action. We’ll explore practical, easy-to-implement strategies to improve your overall wellness. Learn how mindfulness and relaxation techniques can calm your mind and body, how exercise can boost your mood while improving your physical health, and how better sleep habits can help you feel refreshed both mentally and physically. We’ll also dive into the role of nutrition, the importance of building meaningful social connections, and the benefits of combining therapy and medical care for a well-rounded approach.
By the end of this session, you’ll have the tools and confidence to take charge of your well-being. Whether you’re dealing with stress, looking to build healthier habits, or simply want to understand how mental and physical health work together, this presentation offers insights and strategies to help you thrive.
Take the first step toward creating a healthier, more balanced life today!
Dr. Lindsay Vago
Lindsay Vago is an assistant professor at Franklin Pierce University. With her doctoral degree in Physical Therapy and her current pursuit of a Master's in Mental Health Counseling she has key points to share related to physical and mental health. Lindsay has found her passion in teaching both the undergraduate Health Science students and the Doctoral Physical Therapy students. Part of this passion is also in the understanding of how our health is related to how the whole body functions. Over the years she has established a robust opportunity for the undergraduate students to lead community fitness classes for the older residents. This opportunity has demonstrated the link between mental and physical health for both the undergraduate students and the community members.
Dr. Saniya Waghmare
Dr. Saniya Waghmare is an Assistant Professor at Franklin Pierce University with a Master's in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Rehabilitation Sciences and a PhD in Rehabilitation Science. Passionate about exercise, cardiovascular health, and the autonomic nervous system, she studied intricate connection between the heart and brain during her doctoral research. She has interests in understanding how mindful exercises lead to overall heart and brain health. Her doctoral research focused on the effects of high-intensity interval exercise on blood pressure and heart rate variability in individuals with chronic stroke. Committed to evidence-based practice and holistic health, she shares her clinical thoughts related to a healthy heart and healthy mind with a practical application.
