Photo created by Heather using Canva
On January 3rd, it’s International Mind-Body Wellness Day and it’s a chance to recognize how happy thoughts and emotions lead to a healthy body! The mind-body-soul connection is crucial to our general health and well-being. Our entire health and bodily harmony are influenced by our emotions, purpose, spirituality, experiences, objectives, beliefs, habits and actions. That is why we commemorate International Mind-Body Wellness Day at the start of each year since nothing is more important than being the best version of yourself. What better way to begin the new year than with International Mind-Body Wellness Day?
What is the mind-body connection?
The mind-body connection can be seen through the way your body reacts to stress. Tensed muscles, discomfort, headaches, and stomachaches can be caused by constant stress and anxiety about studies, finances, or other concerns. It can also lead to elevated blood pressure and other potentially harmful side effects. Both your mind and body collaborate to help you reach your objectives as your emotions are influenced by your thoughts and it works vice versa as well.
Photo from Google
Chronic discomfort or medical issues such as heart disease can impact one emotionally. The capacity to treat, manage, or cope with the disease may be harmed if one becomes sad, worried, or irritated. Basically, having a positive mindset can benefit one’s health greatly. Compared to a pessimistic person, being optimistic will help you manage your anxiety and stress more efficiently and improve your health.
How will your thoughts and feelings affect your health?
Your brain produces chemicals that create positive feelings. Among these chemicals are endorphins which are natural painkillers and gamma globulin which boosts your immune system. Eventually, your brain's output is impacted by your thoughts, feelings, and expectations according to study. Your brain is more likely to produce chemicals that support the healing process when you're ill but you still have an optimistic attitude and believe that you'll get better. Optimism is defined as the ability to perceive, feel, and think cheerfully. Moreover, there are other advantages to optimism that you may not be aware of. Optimism may also allow you to maintain your physical health. You don't have to be born as an optimist to benefit from optimism's advantages. It can be as easy as picking a positive outlook in everyday situations during a crisis to make the most of what life throws at you.
Similarly, negative emotions and thoughts may stop your brain from producing particular body chemicals that help with healing. This does not mean that you should blame yourself if you are sick or have a health problem. There are certain illnesses that can not be prevented. On the other hand, your thoughts and state of mind are assets you can use to enhance the overall quality of your health.
How does stress affect you?
Stress is normally referred to as a state of emotional or physical tension. Any incident or idea that makes you annoyed, furious, or anxious might trigger it.
Photo from Google
There might be plenty of causes that lead to stress. For example, stress can be caused by family issues, studies, friends and others. Being a college student myself, I know dealing with assignments and expectations can be stressful. But do you know that your health is influenced by how you deal with stress? When you're concerned or anxious, your body reacts as if it's being attacked. Hormones are chemicals produced by the body that increase heart rate and breathing, elevate blood pressure, and tighten muscles. This biological phenomenon is known as the fight-or-flight stress response.
This reaction is important if you need to avoid an accident or other risk. Meanwhile, if you're constantly disturbed, your body's natural fight-or-flight response may last too long, leading to high blood pressure. This is bad for your heart and cardiovascular system. Stress can also have an impact on emotions. As a result, you may get irritable, worried, depressed, or unhappy easily. On the other hand, when you are able to relax both your mind and body, then your body stops producing a sympathetic nervous system. As your stress levels reduce, you return to a state of peace, both physically and mentally.
Ways to improve your mind-body wellness
Photo from Google
Many of us forget that our bodies aren’t machines and that they require rest and care. When both our mind and body are in good shape, we feel considerably better which allows us to achieve greater results and be more productive at school or work. Food, as we all know is the source of energy for our bodies. We can live a healthier lifestyle by eating a well-balanced diet and paying attention to our meals. Aim to consume little amounts of food and healthier meals throughout the day such as fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious snacks in addition to the main meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. A better diet boosts our body’s ability to produce blood, mend damaged tissues and perform other vital activities.
Last but not least, make sure you receive enough sleep. Many experts agree that getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night will help people feel happier and more energized while also lowering cholesterol, combating stress and managing blood pressure. After a good night’s sleep, we’ll have more energy the next day as well as greater mental awareness, more creativity, increased productivity and so much more. Now that you understand the importance of mind-body wellbeing, I hope that you will implement these mentioned strategies in your daily routines. I recommend that you start with the simplest option, which is to eat clean. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you find a suitable way for yourself to maintain your body, mind and soul in good health always.
By: Heather Tan