A positive association between physical health practices and psychological well-being

The association between psychological well-being (PWB) and health practices (HP) has not been explored. PWB is associated with age, income, education, and physical health. Physical health has been shown to relate to seven HP: sleep, physical exercise, breakfast, snacking, relative body weight, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between PWB and these seven physical health practices. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional health survey of 6320 persons. PWB was measured as an overall score, with positive feelings and negative feelings as subscores. Each of the three PWB measures was related to favorable health practices. The clinical significance of this relationship remains to be determined. In addition, PWB was noted to improve with age. Although one cannot infer causal relations from cross-sectional data, physical health practices may be important mediators of the mind-body interaction.