"Practice mindfulness" was the message I received growing up, but not something I fully grasped. I didn't have a sense of mindfulness when I left for college, was not physically active, and spent a lot of time indoors. As a new student learning to navigate new personal relationships, I found myself in a constant state of stress and obtaining unity throughout my body became a pressing thought. I began looking into the mind-body-spirit connection more deeply, and the interplay between the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of our being has become a passion point in my career.
To learn more about myself, I decided to go to therapy and have since been on a fascinating journey of gratitude and understanding the mind - which encompasses our thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and mental health.
Our mind also plays a crucial role in the recovery process. Cognitive factors like motivation, self-efficacy, and mental resilience are an important part of helping us recover from difficult situations. Mental health services provide cognitive assistance, and therapists often introduce strategies to address these mental components. Incorporating mindfulness and relaxation techniques helps increase our awareness of what is going on inside of us, and the cognitive behavioral technique of journaling allows us to process these thoughts and feelings. This work helps clients build a positive mindset, manage stress and overcome mental pain and trauma related challenges.
Our mental state has a significant impact on our physical well-being. When we experience stress, it can manifest in physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or chronic pain. How we take care of our bodies - our physical health and well-being, affect our mental. Physical activity, nutrition and exercise have been proven to improve mood and reduce stress. When the body is injured, physical and manual therapies have been known to promote healing and restore mobility through movement and electrical stimulation. The physiological benefits from these modalities include reduced muscle tension, increase of dopamine production, and increase of overall well being.Â
Yoga is another form of physical activity that helps reduce stress, and has personally helped me identify stress points in my body when I incorporated it into my lifestyle. Breathwork, a core part of yoga and another name for intentionally controlling the way you breath, helps aid relaxation and enhances clarity of thought. Mindfulness, another aspect of yoga, has helped me in moments of panic, as I ground myself through paying attention to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch). Doing so brought me from emotionally intense moments of uncertainty to a calmer state that allowed me to pause, gather my thoughts, and connect to my center (soul).
The soul (or spirit) represents our deeper sense of self and, in this context, transcends traditional views of religion. It encompasses a person’s internal beliefs and values, and the emotional battles they face throughout their lives. Our soul/spirit is often linked to our religious faith and sense of purpose. Engaging in activities that resonate with our values, like prayer/meditation or community service/engagement, can stimulate a sense of fulfillment that improves mental and physical health. Spiritual contentment can enhance our ability to cope with, and recover from, difficult situations.
The connection between the mind, body and soul is holistic - when one area is out of balance, it can affect the others. Understanding and nurturing this connection can lead to improved overall well-being and a more harmonious life. Therapy can evolve into a more profound healing journey by recognizing and nurturing the mind-body-soul connection. This holistic perspective encourages individuals to view their health as an interconnected system that leads to a more balanced and fulfilling life. By addressing the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of health, therapists can provide more comprehensive care that strengthens overall well-being.
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About the Author
Ajaya Barnhardt is a senior Psychology major at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and practicum student with Melanin Mental Health and Wellness. Ajaya's career goal is to become a becoming a psychiatrist, incorporating yoga into her practice to strengthen the mind-body-soul connection.
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