Care for the Body, Care for the Mind
Very
often physical health and mental health are considered separate from one
another. It is easy to forget that the brain is an organ that requires the same care as the rest of the body. It is similarly easy to forget that our thoughts and feelings can be significant forces in our body's functioning. Today I want to remind you that although the mind and the body are in many ways distinct from one another, it is
important to remember that they are not independent.
For example, as I'm sure we've all experienced at some point, it's very challenging to regulate emotions when you're exhausted from lack of sleep. Things feel overwhelming, emotions are heightened, and we can tend to take things more personally. On the flip side, if we're having trouble regulating our physical anxious responses, sometimes this can result in anxious thoughts that tend to keep us awake at night.
As you can imagine, this is one of many possible examples where both the mind and body fall into an unhelpful feedback loop that limits their functioning. The well-being of one impacts the well-being of the other. Although this is one simplified example, the idea behind it can certainly apply to a wide variety of scenarios.
Fortunately for us, we can use this connection to our advantage. When we've built habits to care for both our body and mind regularly, we can prevent the viscious cycle from building on itself. When a challenge arises and the wellness of your mind or body becomes compromised, the support of the other area can help minimize the pain rather than exacerbate it.
Revisiting our example, although we might have trouble regulating our emotions when we're exhausted, we can still learn to respond effectively. Noticing what is happening and understanding how our body may be impacting our thinking can be powerful, as it can prompt us to consider our internal experiences and take appropriate action. This action could be simply listening to the body and taking a nap or engaging in a coping strategy to help regulate emotional responses more effectively. Sometimes simply telling ourselves "I'm tired, things aren't likely as bad as I'm making them out to be, I'll revisit this worry tomorrow once I'm rested" can be enough. By responding to a physical issue with awareness, the mind can be your ally rather than your foe. Now take a moment and reflect on how the body could be the ally if your mind is experiencing painful feelings and thoughts.
It's clear that there is a huge correlation between the body and the brain. With physical and mental health being so closely connected, it is important to ensure you are regularly caring for both. So the next time you notice a physical or mental health concern, remember to pay close attention to your treatment of both the mind and the body. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
For example, as I'm sure we've all experienced at some point, it's very challenging to regulate emotions when you're exhausted from lack of sleep. Things feel overwhelming, emotions are heightened, and we can tend to take things more personally. On the flip side, if we're having trouble regulating our physical anxious responses, sometimes this can result in anxious thoughts that tend to keep us awake at night.
As you can imagine, this is one of many possible examples where both the mind and body fall into an unhelpful feedback loop that limits their functioning. The well-being of one impacts the well-being of the other. Although this is one simplified example, the idea behind it can certainly apply to a wide variety of scenarios.
Fortunately for us, we can use this connection to our advantage. When we've built habits to care for both our body and mind regularly, we can prevent the viscious cycle from building on itself. When a challenge arises and the wellness of your mind or body becomes compromised, the support of the other area can help minimize the pain rather than exacerbate it.
Revisiting our example, although we might have trouble regulating our emotions when we're exhausted, we can still learn to respond effectively. Noticing what is happening and understanding how our body may be impacting our thinking can be powerful, as it can prompt us to consider our internal experiences and take appropriate action. This action could be simply listening to the body and taking a nap or engaging in a coping strategy to help regulate emotional responses more effectively. Sometimes simply telling ourselves "I'm tired, things aren't likely as bad as I'm making them out to be, I'll revisit this worry tomorrow once I'm rested" can be enough. By responding to a physical issue with awareness, the mind can be your ally rather than your foe. Now take a moment and reflect on how the body could be the ally if your mind is experiencing painful feelings and thoughts.
It's clear that there is a huge correlation between the body and the brain. With physical and mental health being so closely connected, it is important to ensure you are regularly caring for both. So the next time you notice a physical or mental health concern, remember to pay close attention to your treatment of both the mind and the body. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.