Body and Mind Connection, The Key to Staying Happy Always

Arpita Roy • November 7, 2024
yoga-and-mental-healthHere, I’ll share an example of how the mind has the power to influence the body and even make it feel unwell. About a year ago, I found myself frequently dealing with colds, indigestion, bloating, headaches, and overeating, which left me feeling sluggish and unmotivated. Although I managed to complete my work, I had lost the enthusiasm and devotion I once had for it. When helping others, I felt drained, often thinking, "I have to do this; there’s no other option." Even as I took medication and tried to recover, I found myself saying, "I’m not feeling well," avoiding tasks as much as possible.
At that time, I didn’t realize how a single thought could impact my body. My mind was continually telling my body that I wasn’t getting better, reinforcing this feeling and slowing my recovery without my awareness.
Our bodies are designed to be resilient, but often, we don’t recognize the powerful connection between mind and body. The mind releases hormones, or chemical messengers, that regulate our bodily functions. Stress, originating in the mind, is one of the primary causes of lifestyle disorders and autoimmune diseases.
Think about how our senses—like sight, sound, taste, and touch—trigger emotions such as anger, jealousy, or fear. The brain processes these sensations and sends instructions to the body, directing it to respond. There are two types of stress: good (necessary) and bad (unnecessary).
Good stress applies essential pressure that keeps our body functioning, like the heart pumping, lungs breathing, and digestion. This moderate stress sustains life.
Bad stress, however, arises from imbalance—either too much or too little pressure. For example, overusing your dominant hand can lead to pain, while underusing the other limits its abilities. This imbalance creates stress within the body, leading to discomfort and restriction.
In the first example, I created bad stress by repeatedly thinking that I hadn’t recovered from my illness, which kept me feeling unwell. In the second example, my thought process dictated that I shouldn’t use my non-dominant hand, reinforcing imbalance.
As humans, we aren’t meant to store emotions like fear, anger, jealousy, or ego. However, when these thoughts accumulate through sensory information from our surroundings, they can lead to reactions instead of thoughtful responses. When the mind takes over with negative or dysfunctional thoughts, we may react impulsively instead of choosing a thoughtful response.
We can, however, respond better if we stabilize our mind and control our thoughts. When we manage our thoughts, we can process external stimuli thoughtfully and respond according to our preferences and values. By doing so, we feel more satisfied and confident, reducing unnecessary stress. Although achieving this state of balance is challenging, it’s not impossible.
One effective way to support this mind-body harmony is through a beautiful technique called Conditioning.
In essence, a balanced connection between mind and body is the foundation of happiness and well-being. By nurturing this relationship, we empower both mind and body to thrive and remain resilient against challenges.
Learn more about Conditioning here. learn more about click here....