Treat body and mind as one
By Mark Quirk
We often separate physical and mental or body and mind – but, for most of us, this separation is often unhelpful!
In my work, I help people with things we could say were either body or mind. In one session, I may be supporting someone who wants to reverse type 2 diabetes (body), and in another, someone wanting to work more effectively with stress or anxiety (mind). And in both cases, physical activity like exercise and learning to work with difficult thoughts can help. Our body affects our mind, and our mind affects our body.
If we want to lose weight (body), many of us think of exercise and diet, which can help, but rarely on its own! Often, our habits (mind) are the biggest blockers.
Our bodies have an incredible set of systems that work to keep us in homeostasis or balance. If you feel hot, you’ll have the desire to cool down, which might lead to removing a jumper, stepping outside, or fanning yourself. Feeling hungry? You’ll desire food. Feeling tired? You’ll desire sleep. Feeling upset? You’ll likely want to go somewhere to feel comfortable (or otherwise fix it).
These are all examples of the mind and body working together to turn thoughts and feelings into actions – and those actions may lead to further thoughts and feelings until we resolve the situation. And we know it’s resolved because our bodies are back in balance, and we no longer feel the drive for change.
Although there’s plenty more nuance than I’m describing, the key is that the same things drive both physical and mental wellness! Exercise and relaxation in balance support the body and mind. Stress and recovery in balance support the body and mind. Eating well and not too much supports the body and mind. Socialising in balance with space to be alone supports the body and mind. Developing emotional skills supports the body and mind. You get the picture.
In fact, we have an 8-week mindfulness course, something we typically associate with the mind, especially given its name, because Jon-Kabat Zinn wanted to help those attending his hospital chronic pain (body) clinic.
Taking care of yourself includes activities that support both a healthy mind and body – and each supports the other, so we can treat body and mind as one.