Mind, Body and Harmony

 

Holistic Wellness and Mental Well-Being

In this world of beauty, we all care about how we appear physically and how we behave. But most of the time, we forget to nurture our mind-body as one. It’s important to realise that the mind influences our body and vice versa. Together, we'll explore not just the "why" but the "how." How does your body respond to stress, and what can you do about it? How can simple mindfulness make your daily grind a bit more bearable? And yes, we'll talk about real emotions, not just as abstract concepts but as powerful messengers, asking to be heard.
 
MIND-BODY RELATION: NAVIGATING INNER LANDSCAPE
Mindfulness practitioners say, "Calm body, calm mind."
Let's dive into the fascinating world where your thoughts and your body's responses meet—a place where neurotransmitters play the role of messengers in your body's personal chat network.

MEET YOUR BRAIN'S MESSENGERS
Imagine serotonin as the mood maestro—it influences how you feel. When it's high, you're upbeat; when it's low, you might feel a bit down. Then there's dopamine, the pleasure puppeteer, responsible for those moments of joy and satisfaction. Norepinephrine, on the other hand, manages your energy levels. Understanding these messengers helps you see how your mood, pleasure, and energy are all intertwined.

STRESS, THE UNINVITED GUEST
Think of stress as an uninvited guest that affects not just your mind but your entire body. Your heart may race, your muscles tense, and you might even feel it in your stomach. It's not just in your head; it's a full-body experience.
The study, which was published in the journal Nature, may provide an explanation for several puzzling phenomena. These include the reasons why some people feel the need to pace back and forth when they are anxious, why activating the vagus nerve, which controls internal organ functions like heart rate and digestion, may help people who are depressed, and why regular exercisers tend to have a more optimistic outlook on life.
Let's make this simple. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and pay attention to how your body feels. Is there tension in your shoulders, a knot in your stomach, or maybe a lightness in your chest? This check-in isn't about fancy terminology; it's your way of feeling the ongoing conversation between your thoughts and your body. This is one of the many practices you can do for your mind-body wellness. You can also try meditation, mindful walking, and so on.
 
PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS: WHERE EMOTIONS AND HEALTH COLLIDE
Now, let's dive into a topic that hits close to home for many—Psychosomatic Disorders. No need for jargon; we're breaking it down into simple terms. Picture this: your emotions, stress, and mental well-being influencing your physical health, creating a dance that’s both intricate and impactful.
Consider Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition where digestive discomfort is closely linked to stress and emotional states. By delving into such examples, we demystify the notion that mental and physical health exist in separate realms. Instead, we recognise the symbiotic relationship, acknowledging that our emotions can manifest physically and vice versa.

POSSIBLE REASONS OF SOMATIC DISORDER
·         Difficult childhood
·         Heavy addiction (Alcohol, smoking)
·         History of abuse
·         Depression and so on.
There could be many different symptoms of psychosomatic disorders, and few might be fatigue, weakness, and anxiety. We know the reasons and symptoms of somatic disorder but how can we prevent it?

WAYS TO PREVENT SOMATIC DISORDER
·         Regular exercise
·         Sleeping well and enough
·         Avoiding addictions
·         Being realistic and reasonable
·         Talking or journaling your thoughts and feelings
There is no rigid medical explanation for how our psychological conditions affect our physical health. But they do in many ways. Most of the time, we mistake it to be a medical condition while it might be related to somatic symptoms. And this is common, occurring 5-7% in the general population. Women experience somatic discomfort roughly ten times more frequently than males for unknown causes.
 
PLACEBO EFFECT: MIND’S REMARKABLE HEALING POWER
A fascinating phenomenon that highlights the incredible influence your mind holds over your well-being—the placebo effect. This is not some magic trick; it's a testament to the remarkable power of belief.

"The placebo effect is more than positive thinking — believing a treatment or procedure will work. It's about creating a stronger connection between the brain and body and how they work together,"

Professor Ted Kaptchuk of Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, whose research focuses on the placebo effect.

In an experiment patients took a "sugar pill" expecting it to work, and lo and behold, their symptoms improved. That wasn't the sugar doing the healing; it was the mind responding to the belief that healing was underway.
 
Placebos will not help you decrease your cholesterol or shrink a tumour. Placebos, on the other hand, function on symptoms modified by the brain, such as pain perception. "Placebos may make you feel better, but they will not cure you," says Kaptchuk. "They have been shown to be most effective for conditions like pain management, stress-related insomnia, and cancer treatment side effects like fatigue and nausea."
How can you give yourself a placebo besides taking a sugar pill? Practicing self-help methods is one way. "Engaging in the ritual of healthy living — eating right, exercising, yoga, quality social time, meditating — probably provides some of the key ingredients of a placebo effect," says Kaptchuk.
The placebo effect isn't about deception; it's about tapping into your mind's ability to trigger real, physical changes. Whether it's reducing pain, alleviating anxiety, or boosting your mood, your beliefs play a pivotal role.
 
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION: CULTIVATING AWARENESS
Mindfulness is something that we have heard a lot about. Many a times, we hear people say: “Live in the moment” that’s kind of mindfulness. Think of mindfulness as your mind's anchor. It's not about clearing your head; it's about really feeling that morning coffee or enjoying your walk. No judging, just being present and finding a slice of calm in the everyday hustle. Pay attention what’s happening within you and beyond your inner self. Throughout a day, we have approximately 60000 thoughts on an average. We may not be able to control our thoughts and feelings is, how they influence us. Is it for the betterment? Or is it just exaggeration of some situation?
Well, you can learn to experience your thoughts and emotions more acceptingly and in harmony by practicing meditation. Now, meditation is not just about sitting position and counting your breaths. It is about being aware of your body, your mind, and the surroundings. If you’re in the moment and focused on yourself and your experience, then even walking can be meditative.
 
EMOTIONAL RELEASE: UNLEASHING THE HEALING POWER
Plutchick claimed that people may feel over 34,000 distinct emotions, but that we typically experience eight major emotions: anger, fear, sorrow, joy, disgust, surprise, trust, and anticipation.

UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONAL RELEASE
Imagine emotions as guests at a party. Sometimes, they overstay, and that's when we need a gentle release. It's not about fighting feelings but finding a healthy way to let them flow through.

PRACTICAL RELEASE TECHNIQUES
Release isn't reserved for therapy sessions; you can weave it into your daily rhythm. Try journaling your thoughts, squeezing a stress ball, or even taking a mindful walk. These aren't fixes; they're tiny emotional exhales that add up.
 
CONCLUSION
In our journey through the realms of mind-body connection, emotional release, and holistic well-being, one simple truth stands tall: well-being is not a destination but a daily exploration. By understanding the interplay between our thoughts, emotions, and physical health, we uncover the power within our reach.

As you step forward from these words, envision a life where well-being is not a lofty goal but a series of simple, meaningful choices. Whether sipping tea mindfully, taking a moment to breathe, or choosing a wholesome snack, each action is a brushstroke on the canvas of your well-being. May these insights accompany you in your everyday journey — a reminder that balance is not a fleeting state but a continuous dance, and every step is a move towards a fuller, more vibrant life.

Written by Alwin Sunil