Mind Body connection - Nimrit Gandhi
Our mind and body are strongly connected and impact each other in more ways than you know. Our physical state can be easily affected by our thoughts and emotions, and vice versa. Both of these components carry equal importance, and pursuing a strong connection between them to have a healthy mind-body connection is truly one of the best things that we can do for ourselves.
What exactly is a mind-body connection? It is the physical and mental connection that our body forms. The mind commands the body to have a physical reaction to various situations that interfere with how our mental health is impacted. In other words, it’s the physical reaction to a mental stimulus. However, just as our mental health can impact our physical health, our physical health also impacts our mental health. A physical change in our bodies may impact our mental state.
An example of a result of a mind body-connection may take place in something called the fight or flight response. The fight or flight response is the release of hormones in a mentally or physically terrifying situation. This release of hormones results in a physical reaction that forces your body to either stay and fight against the threat or run away from the threat. Another example is how a simple physical state, such as posture, heavily impacts our mental state. Having good posture is shown to change our mental state and the way we think by making us feel more confident.
It is extremely important to have a healthy mind-body connection. A healthy connection provides many important components to our wellbeing, such as better sleep, lower stress levels, increased self awareness, better decision making skills, and better health and wellbeing. There are various simple exercises and habits that one can incorporate into their routine to ensure a proper connection between the mind and the body;
Breathing exercises: Breathing exercises when stressed or overwhelmed can help calm the mind to create a healthy mental and physical state. There are multiple breathing exercises that are useful, such as diaphragmatic breathing (taking slow, deep breaths using the diaphragm and abdominal muscles) or alternate nostril breathing (breathing through one nostril at a time while the other one is kept closed).
Visualizing positive scenarios: Imagining positive outcomes reduces stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed. This could be visualization of a nice and peaceful scenery, such as the woods, the beach, a sunset, etc. It could also be one of your favorite places to be, or someone that you enjoy spending time with. The calming mental visuals provide physical relaxation, which is a perfect example of a mind-body connection.
Meditation: Meditation creates mindfulness. Mindfulness is when you are self-aware of your current thoughts, sensations, and emotions. Becoming mindful of how you feel causes reduced stress levels and increases emotional wellbeing, creating a balance between mind and body.
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