There is a link between the
mind and the body known about by some for thousands of years. The German
philosopher, Goethe, once said: “the mind governs the body”. If you can learn to maintain a balance between
the principles of good health, and the often conflicting demands of your
personality and lifestyle, you can lead a life free of disease and suffering. On the other hand, if you simply let yourself
go freewheel, making no effort to guide your life, you will remain in a
constant state of imbalance whereby you experience setbacks of all kinds
including mental and physical ones.
Your body and your life are
merely reflections of your mind. It is the mind alone that shapes and
determines your destiny. Even the most highly skilled doctors or surgeons, with
the most modern equipment and medications, can only stimulate your inner
healing powers, they cannot cure you by themselves. It is only through the
power of the mind that you can achieve the real healing of both your physical and
psychological health problems.
Your mental or emotional
state has a bearing on your health and vice versa. They are interdependent and
support for one has an impact on the other. Lots of people are overweight,
inactive, stressed and make poor food choices causing feelings of fatigue,
anger, frustration and depression. Ignoring the mind-body connection over time
can lead to serious mental or physical health problem requiring treatment or
hospitalisation.
The following facts emanating
from studies carried out in the USA and UK further confirm the mind-body
connection:
·
Two- thirds of
all visits to a doctor are for stress- related causes.
·
Hostility at home
or at work can have a bigger impact on heart disease than being overweight,
cigarette smoking or having high cholesterol levels.
·
People high in optimism
were less likely to develop heart disease than their pessimistic counterparts.
·
Employees
receiving mental health counselling were 35% less likely to have a physical
complaint than those without.
·
People with high
levels of anxiety have a much higher risk of developing a heart complaint.
·
Talk therapy is
more effective for anxiety and depression than drug therapy.
Without being too pernickety
about it, here are some practical things you can do daily to ensure your mind-body
balance is in equilibrium:
1.
Try and find the
root cause of anything affecting your mind. Your problem could possibly arise
from a toxic substance such as mercury or lead, vitamin B12 or magnesium
deficiency, reaction to a chemical or an allergy you have developed. By finding
the cause, you are in a position to take remedial action.
2.
Learn how to
relax or engage in activities which promote relaxation. Relaxation exercises,
meditation, relaxation music, yoga, crafts, hobbies and sports can all play a
part in reducing stress.
3.
Actively practice bringing about a state of
calm. This might involve deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, having
a massage, making love, taking a bath or sauna, or going for a walk in the
woods or by the sea.
4.
Do some daily
exercise. It is a powerful way of reducing toxic substances in the body which
may be affecting the mind, and is a lot more efficient in this respect than a
prescription drug.
5.
Eat a balanced
diet. Eliminate anything containing refined sugars, caffeine and cut down on
alcohol consumption. Eat a least 5 portions of fruit or vegetables daily: and try
and derive most of the proteins you eat from vegetables or fish instead of
meat.
6.
Take a multivitamin and mineral tablet daily
as insurance against a deficiency in the diet. Make sure there is no deficiency
in vitamins C, B5, B6, B12 or the
mineral magnesium.
7.
Use calming herbs
in the diet. Valerian, peppermint, camomile, passionflower, lavender, lemon
balm are all in this category.
8.
Keep well
hydrated by drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily. Water is the most efficient
way of expelling toxins from the body. You could reduce the amount of water you
consume if you drink green tea, ginger tea, fruit or vegetable juices.
9.
Examine your
attitudes and responses to problems you encounter regularly in order to reduce
stress. Can you possibly overcome setbacks in your life with a sense of humour?
10. Build a network
of friends, family and community. They are your most powerful allies in
achieving long-term health. Interaction with a pet such as a cat or a dog can
also have a positive influence on heath.
You now have enough ideas outlined above to begin to create a better relationship between the mind and the body, so that the effect of them working in harmony has a positive impact on your overall health and wellness.
