Breaking Down the Mind-Body Connection
Have you ever felt so anxious that your body began to shake? Or have you ever had a “nervous stomach” or “butterflies”? Our emotions affect the way we feel physically—we even have words to describe this, like “heartache” and “gut-wrenching”.
What is the mind-body connection?
The mind-body connection is an important component of holistic wellness and health. It’s a link between your thoughts, feelings, mindset, behaviors, attitudes, and physical health.
Scientific studies are constantly revealing that the hormones and neurotransmitters associated with our emotions can also have physical effects. They can affect our blood pressure, energy levels, heart rate, sleep patterns, and even our appetite.
How Emotions Impact Our Health
When we feel stressed, our body releases two hormones: adrenaline and cortisol. Known as the “stress hormones,” they’re supposed to give us a short-term energy boost (aka an adrenaline rush) so we can flee from a dangerous situation quickly.
Often, as with anxiety, we can feel like we need to flee from danger when there is no real threat of danger. Releasing the stress hormones too frequently, due to anxiety, chronic stress, or overwhelm, can have negative long term impacts on the body including:
Weakened immune response
Digestive problems
Healing more slowly
While the connection between stress and health is easy to understand, it’s harder to imagine that what we think about (or our mindset) and what we believe can affect our health, also.
Negative thinking patterns, including assuming the worst, jumping to conclusions, and self-criticism, can also relate to health problems. For example, if you think “I’ll never be healthy because my family is very unhealthy” then you may not make the steps to work on your health through therapy, exercise, nutrition, etc.
Gut-Brain Connection
According to Harvard Health Publishing:
The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. For example, the very thought of eating can release the stomach's juices before food gets there. This connection goes both ways. A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person's stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. That's because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected.
Mind-Body Therapies
Mind-body therapies are treatments that promote relaxation and encourage mindfulness. These therapies use the body to affect the mind, and the mind to affect the body. Some common mind-body therapies that we offer at Atlanta Wellness Collective include:
Accupressure
Massage Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Group Therapy
Other ways to work on the mind-body connection include:
Yoga
Music Therapy
Tai Chi
Meditation
Guided Imagery
Proper nutrition/gut health
Breathwork
Helpful ways to relieve tension and stress in the body include:
Relax your shoulders & roll your shoulders down your back
Unclench your jaw
Stretch daily
Use a foam roller to help tight muscles
Take a walk
Yoga/Exercise
Massage
READ MORE: Reducing Anxiety Through the Mind-Body Connection
If you’re interested in learning more about the mind-body connection, one of our licensed providers can help.
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies.
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