What is Mind Body Living?

Happy Wellness Wednesday! I have been interested in learning more about the mind body connection over the past few years and found my friend Michele who is a Mindfulness expert and knows all about the mind body living connection.  Today she is teaching us all about what is mind body living and how it can benefit us to incorporate into our daily lives!

What is Mind Body Living?

It is a conscious awareness of our bodies and how our thoughts, feelings, and actions all have an impact on our physical and mental health.  The mind cannot exist without the body and the body cannot function without the mind.  The stronger the connection the healthier and happier we feel.

When we start to understand this concept we can change what we view as healthy for us and what is not. We start to realize how things like negative thoughts and mindsets can impact our wellbeing.  The reality is what we do, say, or even think all have great significance in our lives. If we’re not happy there is a good chance that we are struggling with our mental or physical health.

You hear many motivational speakers talk about confidence hacks like fixing your posture.  Standing up tall signals your brain that you are feeling healthy and confident therefore your energy changes and others pick up on that shift. In that same way, there are strategies you can implement to strengthen the mind body connection and improve the quality of your life. Here we will be discussing ways that you can focus more on your mind and body.

Think about your actions

Bringing awareness to our actions makes us stop and think before we do or say something.  It creates an opportunity to take more favorable actions vs negative ones. For example, if you are reaching for a bag of chips for a snack but stop to think about how it can impact you later, you might opt for a different snack entirely.  Similarly, when you’ve been sedentary for a while and you check in with yourself you might feel encouraged to go take a walk.  Thinking about our actions establishes accountability and that is the first step to any change.

Deal with the uncomfortable

There is mounting evidence that trauma and negative experiences affect our health. Thoughts and emotions are generated in the part of our brain called the “Limbic System”.  Those thoughts are made of cells and energy.  When we go through a traumatic event, most of us don’t process those emotions because it’s too uncomfortable or painful.  The unprocessed emotions get stored in our bodies and in time can manifest into illness and disease. 

This is why you might experience a really bad headache after being stressed out or getting into an argument.  It can also be the reason you grind your teeth at night.  Unprocessed emotions manifest in many different ways. Facing the uncomfortable and processing the emotions associated with negative feelings can help us heal and become a better version of ourselves.  You don’t need to hang on to pain to prove you are strong or brave, you need to let go.  Meditating and Journaling are effective ways to deal with unprocessed emotions. Feel your feelings and let them go for good!    

Get in touch with your body

Physical health is closely tied with mental health.  People with illness and body image challenges have a higher risk for depression and anxiety. Getting in touch with our bodies is critical to good mental health.  Physical Movement can help stored negative emotions flow and be released.  When we move our body we generate more oxygen for our cells so they can function better.  When we exercise we release happy hormones called Endorphins. 

These physiological changes directly impact how we look and feel.

Practice Gratitude and Joy

Practicing gratitude allows us to see the world from a different lens. Instead of the cup being half empty, it suddenly becomes half full. Gratitude is a practice that in time becomes a habit. Most people aren’t asking themselves when they wake up, what am I grateful for today? Instead, we are going through the motions and doing what is necessary to get through the day. Incorporating gratitude and joyful activities allows us to slow down and are essential for good mental health.

Joy and gratitude bring happiness and happiness feels good.

Eat Whole Foods

What we put in your body plays a big part in mind body living. When we eat processed foods, refined sugars, and trans fats we are subjecting ourselves to symptoms such as fatigue, fogginess, and digestive problems. Most packaged foods contain artificial chemicals that our bodies are not meant to process. Over time eating these types of foods not only affect our bodies, but also our mind. Eating whole foods is a great way to get the nutrition we need to fuel our body and mind in a positive way. Nature gives us access to a plethora of vitamins and minerals that increase energy and lift the mood.

Get in Touch with Nature

Going out in nature can be very relaxing. When we are out in nature the parasympathetic nervous system turns on. In this state, we experience things like lowered blood pressure, slower heart rate, and decreased muscle tension. It’s no wonder we feel a lot less stressed when are in the presence of trees, mountains, or even water!  Nature can have a significant impact on our minds as well. Because our bodies are calm we tend to think more clearly and focus on being present. Implementing regular walks in the park or hikes is a great way to train ourselves to have a more relaxed response to everyday stressors and obstacles!

I have been able to overcome some of the most challenging days of my life by implementing these steps. Getting in touch with my body has been the basis of my healing.  Incorporating things like daily meditation, yoga, mindful cooking, and practicing gratitude makes me feel stronger and happier.

Wishing you a happy and healthy journey!

Thanks, Michele for sharing your wisdom with us! I am excited to start implementing some of these practices into my daily life!

If you want to know more about mind body living, check out Michele’s expertise on her website or Youtube channel!

Michele is a Mindfulness Living advocate that draws from her experiences and shares the lessons learned along the way. She uses her Education in Public Health & Nutrition to drive actionable strategies to improve life quality. Having overcome severe trauma including abandonment, abuse, and neglect she uses a mind body approach to heal negative emotions and reprogram the mind. Using her method she was able to heal her body from Vertigo and a liver condition. Today, Michele is healthy and well and dedicated to helping others with similar journeys find health and happiness from the inside out. In her spare time, you will find her exercising by the beach or creating healthy recipes in her kitchen. She shares her journey and wisdom on her Instagram page or in her Facebook Community.

Pin Me!