The Mind and Body Connection
Your mind and body are powerful allies. How you think can affect how you feel physically. Conversely, how you feel can affect your
thoughts and mood. An example of this mind-body connection is how your body responds to continual stress. For example, if you find yourself constantly worrying about your job, finances, or family and relationships, you may be experiencing
headaches, pain, or stomach problems.
If you are in physical pain due to chronic illness or injury this can affect your emotions. You may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression which can impact how you manage your illness and your health.
When you are able to relax both your mind and body your body stops producing the hormones that cause stress. Learning to relax your mind and body can help ease stress as well as relieve anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
There are several evidence-based techniques that I can teach you to help with relaxation. These include:
- Deep Breathing
- Guided Imagery
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation