MIND-BODY CONNECT ION
The New View of an Old Relationship
s a graduate student in clinical psychology back in the 1970s, I enjoyed many far-ranging, late-night discussions with others in my cohort about human nature. One of the common themes for our wandering debates was our emerging understanding of what animates our behavior. We loved talking about how two essential parts of us, mind and body, interrelate and influence one another — the so-called “mind-body problem.”
As it turned out, those deep conversations were much more than philosophical musings because our eventual approaches to psychotherapy practice would require us to develop skills at navigating this mind-body principle with the people we would treat someday.
But let’s fast forward a few decades. If you haven’t taken a psychology course in the last 20 years, you may be fascinated by how today’s research has given us new perspectives on this ancient question. Although the mind-body principles have traditionally resided in the domains of religion and philosophy, today’s perspectives are based on scientific research and technological advances that allow us to see and describe these foundations of human nature in ways never before possible. A contemporary view of this ancient mind-body question might be characterized this way; a physiological state creates a psychological story.
Today’s holistic approach to psychology looks at the interplay between our complex mental and physiological processes. We consider our biological factors, our psychological factors, and the influences of our social environment to give us a “biopsychosocial” model of human functioning. In this way, today’s psychology helps us better understand how our physical and mental functions are woven together and how they influence our overall health and well-being, heal our emotional distress and pain, and enhance the quality of our lives.
However, understanding the processes and mechanisms that animate the bi-directional mind-body relationship is only a good first step. Our ongoing research discoveries are also being used in ways that contribute to lives worth living.
Growing psychological research shows us how various brain areas, neurotransmitters, and brain pathways are structured and connected to influence our emotional and psychological functioning. We have now applied this information to develop mind-body interventions that help sufferers of emotional and psychological trauma. Other research is aimed at understanding how the body’s immune response contributes to our moods and distresses and how, for example, an unhealthy gut microbiome contributes to a range of distressing mental health conditions such as depression and depressive disorders, anxiety and anxiety disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and certain forms of autism.
And while we know that there’s no single cause of psychological disorder, understanding how our physical body contributes to our psychological conditions offers us a broader range of treatment approaches that are well-informed, evidence-based, and effective.
Moreover, the field of Positive Psychology shows us how enhancing our lifestyle activities contributes to our mind-body well-being. Increasing our physical movement through exercise, targeting positive psychological strategies, healthy eating, adequate sleep, mindfulness practices, empathic self-care, deep breathing, yoga, therapeutic massage, engaging in “brain games” to remain cognitively challenged, being of service to others, and maintaining healthy and supportive social connections are just some of the important ways we can build and strengthen our own unique mind-body relationship to create healthier, happier lives.
I’ve found a simple daily exercise that can help create a mind-body balance and reduce feelings of stress, improve mood, focus, and attention. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes and can be done outdoors or indoors, at any time of the day.
In a comfortable, quiet place, I sit with my eyes closed. After a few slow, deep breaths, I gently guide my attention to what’s happening around me and within me while noticing the sounds, smells, air temperature, my heartbeat and breathing, my body posture, and the thoughts and feelings I’m experiencing at that moment. I notice these things without mentally analyzing, categorizing, judging, or evaluating them, and without trying to control anything. I sit with it and let it be.
Breathing becomes slow, steady, and easy. As I let a sense of calmness come over me, I gently turn my attention to my breathing and my heartbeat while noticing how those seem to come into balance with the greater rhythm of life all around me. It synchronizes.
Sometimes I lightly contemplate an uplifting phrase or a positive affirmation with childlike curiosity and a gentle sense of wonder, seeing its simplicity. I find that it’s also helpful to hold a self-caring, self-accepting attitude along with positivity, goodwill, and gratitude.
Anytime I do this exercise, a benefit always comes in some form. It’s the mind and the body working together in a natural way.
Fort Hays State University proactively promotes the physical, emotional, and mental health of all its students, faculty, and staff. Services are accessible by contacting the University Health and Wellness Center on the 3rd floor of the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success (785-628-4401).
Fort Hays State is the only institution of higher learning in Kansas to sponsor a student-run National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on-campus organization where anyone in the university community can find information and support for mental health and mental illness matters, join in service opportunities, and enjoy peer emotional and social support. Information about NAMI On Campus is available by calling 785-628-4405.
two essential parts of us, mind & body, interrelate and influence one another — the so-called mind-body problem