The Relationship Between Mood and Humans 

Syed Ebrahim Gilani – gilaniebrahim96@gmail.com.

July 29th, 2025

Edited by the YNPS Publications Team.

Abstract 

This paper explores the interconnection between mood and health, as well as the influence of emotions on the well-being of the soul, body, and skin. Based on a thorough review of dermatological, psychological, and physiological literature, we believe that moods significantly impact health outcomes through complex mechanisms involving hormonal, immune, and neurological processes. 

Negative emotions, including anxiety and stress, can worsen skin diseases such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. This can eat away at the body’s health by heightening the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. On the other hand, positive emotions have protective functions, such as boosting immune system functioning and lowering physical disease risk. 

Furthermore, mood affects the “soul” or inner self, which determines the purpose, meaning, and spirituality of an individual. Positive moods instill hope, resilience, and harmony, while negative moods create emptiness and hopelessness. Mindfulness and emotional regulation skills can improve mood, thereby increasing subjective well-being and emotional healing. 

This holistic interaction highlights the importance of preserving emotional well-being in overall wellness. The study highlights that mood is not merely a cognitive process, but rather an integral part of overall well-being. From an understanding of the holistic interaction between mood, skin, body,  and soul, it is possible to actively work towards preserving positive emotional states, which promote overall health and well-being. This study draws attention to the importance of considering the interaction between emotional and physical health in preserving overall well-being. 

Introduction 

The interdependence of mood and health is a sophisticated process that transcends mental health to influence physical health through the condition of the skin and the overall feeling of the soul or inner self. Moods that include feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, and happy contribute significantly to the look and feeling of our skin, the well-being of the body, and the quality of inner spiritual or emotional life. This paper explains how moods influence the health of the skin,  body, and soul based on evidence from physiological, psychological, and dermatological studies. 

This paper argues that moods influence the health of the skin, body, and soul significantly through sophisticated interdependent mechanisms involving hormonal, immune,  and neurological processes. 

Body 

The skin, being the body’s largest organ, is directly influenced by mood states. Physiologically,  painful feelings such as stress and anxiety cause the release of cortisol and other stress hormones,  which impair the healing of the skin, increase inflammation, and affect collagen synthesis. This causes flares of skin diseases such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Evidence suggests that stress and mood disorders are associated with increased incidence of skin diseases,  compromised wound healing, and skin barrier dysfunction (Khunger et al., 2020; Everyday  Health, 2023). For example, chronic stress increases cortisol levels, damaging skin cells and disrupting collagen synthesis, which is essential for skin repair and elasticity. In addition, emotional distress can be expressed physically by redness, scratching, and sweating (GK Dermatology, 2023). 

Beyond the skin, moods have profound impacts on body health in general. Psychological stress triggers a cascade of bodily systems, including the cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, and immune systems, that usually cause fatigue, high blood pressure, and compromised immune function. Negative moods over time raise the risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease,  diabetes, and stroke (American Psychological Association, 2015; Mayo Clinic, 2023). Positive moods and mental health, on the other hand, have protective influences, enhancing immune function and lowering the risk of physical illness (Harvard Health, 2021). The mind-body relationship is captured in the pattern by which mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are linked with worse physical health outcomes, forming a cycle in which physical illness and psychological distress feed upon themselves (Mental Health Foundation, 2023). 

The idea of the “soul” or inner self, while less material, is also subject to the influence of the mood. Mood determines one’s sense of purpose, meaning, and spiritual health. Negative moods generate emptiness, hopelessness, and disconnection, while positive moods create hope,  resilience, and a sense of harmony with oneself and the surroundings. Mindfulness and emotional regulation training that enhances mood has been proven to increase subjective well-being and facilitate emotional healing, reflecting a healthier state of the soul (Healthline, 2023).  This holistic interaction implies that cultivating positive moods is not only essential for physical health but also for emotional and spiritual health. 

Conclusion 

In summary, moods significantly influence skin and body health through interdependent physiological and psychological processes. Unfavorable moods, such as anxiety and stress, can worsen skin health, compromise bodily functioning, and lower spiritual well-being, whereas favorable ones enhance healing, resilience, and overall well-being. 

This intricate interaction further adds to the importance of managing emotional states to enhance health in general. The evidence warrants the fact that mood is not merely a psychological process but an integral part that is crucial to the overall well-being.

Works Cited

American Psychological Association. (2015). The skin as a window to mental health.  https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/02/cover-skin 

Everyday Health. (2023). Ways your mood can affect your skin.  

https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-skin/ways-your-mood-can-affect-your-skin/

GK Dermatology. (2023). Can mood affect the skin? https://www.gkderm.com/acne/can-mood affect-the-skin  

Health Publishing. (2021). Stress may be getting to your skin — but it’s not a one-way street.  https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/stress-may-be-getting-to-your-skin-but-its-not-a-one-way street-2021041422334  

Khunger, N., et al. (2020). Physiological and psychological effects of mood on skin health. PMC.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7498125/  

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art 20050987 

Mental Health Foundation. (2023). Physical health and mental health.  

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/physical-health-and-mental health  Healthline. (2023). The skin as a window to your inner world.  https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/the-skin-as-a-window-to-your-inner-world