When we think about our health, we often separate the physical and the mental. We perceive physical health problems as problems with the body, while mental health issues are problems with the mind, but that’s the wrong approach to take.

There is a strong relationship between the mind and the body and there is a lot of evidence to suggest that our mental health has physical effects on the body. That relationship goes two ways and our body can have a big impact on our mental health as well. If you want to improve your overall wellbeing, it is important that you bridge the gap between the two. These are some of the best ways to strengthen the mind-body connection.

Improving Your Posture

The way that we carry ourselves has a big impact on our physical and mental health. If you have poor posture, it can lead to a lot of pain in the back, neck and shoulders. But did you know that it can also affect your mood and people with depression are far more likely to have poor posture? When you stand in a confident manner, it makes you feel more confident and positive in yourself, so it’s important that you improve your posture. If you have serious back issues, you should seek help from a specialist, like Unwind Health Chiropractic Treatment, to realign your spine and reduce back pain. You will notice a huge improvement in your overall mood when you start standing with good posture.

Meditation

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We don’t spend that much time focusing on our bodies, which is one of the reasons why many people have a big disconnect between the physical and mental. But regular meditation sessions can help to redress the balance. When you meditate, you learn to quiet your mind and pay close attention to your body in the present moment and how it feels. So, not only does meditation have a lot of mental health benefits, it can also help to strengthen the connection between the body and the mind.

Pay Attention To Your Senses

When we are constantly in our heads, we often forget how important our physical senses are. Taking time to pay attention to your senses and stimulate them throughout the day can help to strengthen the connection between the body and the mind. There are a lot of different ways to do this but getting out into nature is one of the best. It gives your mind a break from all of the stimuli that it is normally trying to process, so it’s great for stress. While you are out in nature, spend some time sitting and paying attention to what you can see, hear and smell.

Mindful eating is another common way to bring more attention to your senses. Often, we eat in front of the TV or while looking at our phones and we don’t actually pay much attention to the act of eating. But you should use it as an opportunity to give full attention to your senses and really take notice of the smell and taste of your food.

If you are able to improve the connection between your body and your mind, you will find that your overall wellbeing improves as a result.

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Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.