Summary of Körper und Psyche | Ask Our Expert: Prof. Dr. Undine Lang

00:00:00 - 00:10:00

In this YouTube video, Prof. Dr. Undine Lang discusses the relationship between physical activity and mental health, highlighting the benefits of exercise for both physical and mental well-being. She also mentions the association between healthy eating habits and lower rates of depression but notes the lack of clinical trials to establish a therapeutic effect on mental illnesses. Prof. Lang emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and engaging in activities that bring personal fulfillment. She also discusses the impact of the workplace on mental health, mentioning autonomy, competence, and social networks as vital factors in promoting well-being. Prof. Lang notes that seeking help is important for anxiety symptoms that lead to avoidance of important situations. She also explains the influence of genes and environmental factors on the onset of certain illnesses and the connection between the mind and body. Overall, she emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of psychiatry in considering various factors in mental and physical health.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Prof. Dr. Undine Lang discusses the relationship between physical activity and mental health. She explains that exercise has been known to be beneficial for both physical and mental health, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, as well as releasing endorphins and improving brain plasticity. She highlights that numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of exercise in treating mental illnesses, leading to its inclusion in treatment guidelines. Regarding nutrition, Prof. Lang mentions that while healthy eating habits have been found to be associated with lower rates of depression, there is still a lack of randomized clinical trials to establish a therapeutic effect on mental illnesses. She mentions ongoing research to investigate the impact of sugar consumption on depression symptoms. Additionally, she discusses the importance of mindfulness, not just in terms of meditation or yoga, but also in daily activities where individuals can fully engage and focus. Prof. Lang emphasizes the significance of pursuing activities that bring personal fulfillment, whether it be hobbies, spending time with loved ones, pursuing meaningful work, or practicing gratitude to foster optimism.
• 00:05:00 In this section, Prof. Dr. Undine Lang discusses the importance of finding humor in situations and maintaining a sense of control to prevent stress. While there can be negative aspects to work and potential stressors like burnout and workplace-related stress, overall, the workplace can greatly contribute to one's health. Autonomy, competence, and having a social network are vital factors in promoting well-being at work. When these pillars are compromised, stress can arise. Common symptoms of stress include sleep disturbances, loss of interest, withdrawal from activities, and anxiety symptoms such as shortness of breath or increased blood pressure. Prof. Dr. Lang emphasizes the importance of seeking help when experiencing anxiety symptoms that lead to avoidance of important situations. It is encouraging that many people in Basel actively seek help for their mental health concerns. Prof. Dr. Lang notes that psychiatry is a multidisciplinary field that takes into account various factors such as biology, medicine, chemistry, sociology, psychology, and the environment. Traumatic events can impact both physical and mental health, altering immune responses and stress systems.
• 00:10:00 In this section, Prof. Dr. Undine Lang explains that genes play a role in making someone more susceptible to certain illnesses, and when combined with environmental factors, can lead to the onset of these diseases. She emphasizes that it is difficult to separate the mind and body, as the psyche manifests in the body and vice versa. She cites depression as an example where various bodily systems are affected, including the metabolic system, stress system, and immune system. Furthermore, she highlights that psychological changes can impact physical systems, and almost all physical illnesses have accompanying psychological symptoms in a significant portion of individuals.