Reduce anxiety, increase vitality and feel more balanced with Ten Bulls six ways to strengthen the mind-body connection.
One of the greatest mistakes we can make is to view mind and body as separate entities. It’s far too common to look at physical symptoms, such as hypertension or indigestion, independently of the mind, and mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, independently of the body.
But mind and body are interdependent parts of the whole, and have a profound effect on each other.
We know that mind and body are linked and the best way to manage stress, anxiety and many related illnesses is with a holistic approach.
This post explores the mind-body connection as well as the strategies you can use to strengthen it. Read on to find out how the whole self is greater than the sum of its parts.
What is the mind-body connection?
The mind-body connection is the relationship between mind and body, and the influence one has on the other. It is a feedback loop where our thoughts, feelings and emotions affect our physical state, and vice versa.
For example, a high-degree of psychological stress, can manifest in physical symptoms such as increased heart-rate, hypertension, inflammation and impaired digestion.
Our physical state can also affect our mental health and wellbeing. Posture, breathing rate, movement and pain all have an influence on the way we think and feel.
A strong mind-body connection brings your whole self together and may benefit all areas of your life. It can help reduce anxiety, promote deeper sleep and make you feel more positive.
How do we lose the mind-body connection?
Modern life is incredibly stressful. There’s so much noise, pressure and choice that we feel overwhelmed most of the time.
We get stuck in our own heads, going round in circles with all the thinking, planning, preparing, and worrying that we do.
And while it’s not possible to lose the mind-body connection per se, we often forget that it exists. We’re so preoccupied with our anxieties that we forget to express the whole being.
When you realise the power of the mind-body connection you can change your feelings, reduce anxiety and overcome many of the challenges in your life. Big problems become small ones and action replaces inertia.
6 ways to strengthen your mind-body connection
You can strengthen the mind-body connection through awareness and daily practice. Try any of the following strategies to activate and unify the whole self:
1. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is at the heart of a strong mind-body connection. Through meditation, conscious breathing and other mindful practices like body scan, mindful walking and mindful eating you can focus the mind, reduce anxiety and enjoy being fully present in the moment. If you are new to mindfulness check out The Beginner’s Guide to Mindfulness.
2. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Progressive muscle relaxationinvolves systematically tensing and then relaxing each muscle throughout the body.By tuning into the level of tension you hold in your muscles and where you are holding it, you are able to consciously release that tension and enter a state of deep relaxation.
3. Breathe and move. Any kind of movement practice that incorporates the breath can enhance the mind-body connection. Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigongand other forms of mindful movementmay help reduce stress,decrease blood pressure and promote calmness. They also promote a number of physical changes that include greater flexibility, balance and control.
4. Practice positive self-talk. Pay attention to your inner voice. How do you talk to and about yourself? Write out a list of positive self-statements and repeat them daily. Notice how your words make you feel and then, just like the actor, match those statements with your posture and movement. Continually reinforce positive thinking, feeling and doing so that it becomes a way of being.
5. Solve problems with your body. When you have a problem the instinct is to read, postulate and stare at the computer until you find a solution. But using the brain in this way, with a fixed posture and shallow breathing, produces limited results. Instead, go for a walk, hoover the car, move your body in a dynamic way and allow the brain to work freely in the background. Then, be prepared for when the ideas and solutions flow.
6. Aim for congruence. Do you feel like a unified being or one that’s at odds with itself and the world? When you feel ‘off’ your experience of life may suffer, so try to align your goals, values, identity, posture, environment and habits. Aim for congruence between the real self and the ideal self by thinking and acting with a high degree of consistency.
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Featured Image: @belart84
Read more
The Beginner’s Guide to Mindfulness
A Mindfulness Practice for Spring
A Mindfulness Practice for Summer