Not many people are aware that the way we think influences the way that we feel. Our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs can affect our physical health negatively and/or positively. This communication between our mind and body occurs through our neurotransmitters. When you are anxious, what do you physically feel? Do you feel stomach pain, headache, or sweaty? Our mind and body connections are the key to optimal mental and physical health. Signals are constantly being transferred from our brain to our organs.
We can treat our mental state by treating our physical health, such as physical activity or focusing on healing our gut health. Therefore, our mind-body connection can be extremely important when treating chronic illnesses or autoimmune disorders.
Our emotions can even cause a weakened immune system, which can be crucial for those of us with chronic health conditions. Even our self-talk affects us emotionally. How do you feel mentally when you are unkind to yourself?
Ways to help improve your mind-body connections:
- Massage
- Meditation
- Dance therapy
- Yoga
- Reiki
- Breathing exercises
- Positive visualization
- Diet/Gut health
Focusing on breath work may seem simple but it is very important for mindfulness and awareness. Learning to breathe properly with yoga and breath work is key to calming the body and mind. Exercises like yoga, meditation, massage, or reiki, can help us manifest pure relaxation throughout the body and mind.
Even watching or listening to comedy can be good for the soul. Laughter not only boosts our emotion and moods, but it stimulates our immune system and heart as well.
Signs you need to work on your mind-body connections:
- You have migraines due to anxiety
- IBS from stress
- Heart disease due to depression
- Panic disorder from stress/anxiety
- Autoimmune disorder(s)
- Diabetes
- Inability to connect to our emotions
- Chronic fatigue/stress
Taking a break from our daily duties and going out into nature or grounding can help us connect with the here and now, instead of all the stressors of life. Emotions we have can get stuck in our bodies, to release these emotions, try dancing or singing.
Mindfulness training is important in fully understanding our own unique mind and body connections. Try limiting screen time as much as possible. As humans we are consumed by technology and the biggest way to become disconnected from ourselves is by not being fully present in the now.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be beneficial to helping our diminished immune responses, along with how our brain works overall. CBT tries to activate positive thoughts, which helps the mind-body connections. With yoga, the breathing and movements done can show our bodies how to rest and not be in a fighting state all the time.
Key nutrients and gut health are key components to helping our mental health. With the mind-body connection, a bad diet creates several other effects on our emotions, chronic conditions, and immune system.
This can cause IBS, heart disease, diabetes, as well as a plethora of autoimmune conditions etc. The use of positive visualization can be beneficial to our nervous system, which in turn controls the mind-body connections. Being mindful of our mind-body connections is key to having optimal physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
