Ways to Strengthen the Mind-Body Connection

The mind-body connection is a complex relationship where the mind influences the body, and the body influences the mind. Positive thoughts and emotions may lead to the release of feel-good neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, while physical sensations (desirable or undesirable) can influence our mental or emotional state.

We all experience the mind-body connection, both in positive and negative ways.

It can be experienced in a variety of different everyday situations. Imagine feeling nervous about giving a presentation, you might notice feeling sick to your stomach or your hands sweating. Alternatively, after a great workout, you may feel a boost in your mood and decreased stress. This interplay between thoughts, feelings, and physical responses is what we call the mind-body connection.

Developing unique skills strengthen it, thereby unlocking your body's natural healing potential, promoting resilient to stress, better sleep, and boosting your immune system, energy, and mood.

Recent research shows a link between unprocessed emotions, negative self-talk, and even personality traits like perfectionism and people-pleasing, with chronic health problems. This can manifest as lower back pain, fatigue, joint pain, migraines, gut issues, autoimmune disorders, depression or anxiety, to name a few.

Brain Influences Body

Our brain is powerful and extends far beyond thinking and memory. When we experience an emotional event, our brain releases chemicals like oxytocin (a pleasure response) or cortisol (a stress response). These chemicals not only affect our brain, they flow throughout our body, influencing various physiological functions. For instance, the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) response shows the mind in action. Facing a threat, the brain signals the body to ramp up (faster heart rate, breathing, increased muscle tension, adrenaline rush) to prepare for danger. This response is meant to be temporary. When you experience prolonged stress, your nervous system can become sensitized, heightening pain perception and creating an environment for chronic disease and illness.

Body Influences Brain

Our bodies also talk to our brains. Life stressors (over working, loss of a job or loved one or relationship challenges) combined with inflammatory diet (processed foods, sugar and alcohol) can trigger memory problems, fatigue, pain, illness, and mood swings. Deep breathing, progressive relaxation practices and having health outlets to process our emotions can work positively on your mind by sending signals of safety to the brain, activating the body's healing response, calming emotions and promoting recovery.

This dance, where our mental or emotional states may trigger physical reactions and vice versa, is the mind-body connection at work.

3 Ways to Strengthen the Mind-Body Connection to Improve Your Health:

1. Journaling: A few times a week, write as you explore the thoughts and feelings you have about your pain or symptoms. Do you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, afraid or resigned? These are healthy emotions to feel and pushing them down can intensify the danger signals in your brain and exacerbate symptoms. Show up as a compassionate friend to yourself and validate the feelings you are experiencing to release the pressure valve. Remind yourself that all emotions are safe emotions to feel. Take note of any patterns or negative self-talk.
2. Mindfulness: Take some quiet time each day to focus on breathing deeply and focusing your mind on areas of your body that feel good or to relax areas that feel tense. This retrains your brain to look for signs that all is well in your body and decreases the hyper focus on uncomfortable sensations. Deep breathing and relaxation signal safety in your brain and activate your body's healing potential.
3. Curiosity: Your body doesn’t make mistakes. Instead of fearing symptoms or undesirable emotions, try approaching them with curiosity. What might they be trying to tell you? Do you need more support at this time of your life? Are there lifestyle changes you could make to support your well-being? 

By incorporating these practices into your life, you can gain valuable insight into how your thoughts and emotions might be influencing your experience and how to better care for yourself.

Remember, you are not alone and you don’t have to travel this part of your journey solo. There are trained professionals who can guide you make sense of and integrate these mind-body techniques into your life, allowing you to heal and optimize your long-term health. 

Written by: Jill Getty, Vitality Inspired

Our mission is not only to get to the root of what you are experiencing, but to support you in cultivating resilience in your body & mind so you can reclaim your Vitality and health to live an Inspired Life.