The Mind-Body Connection…
A Letter From a Therapist: Issue 15
What is the mind-body connection and why is it a topic that therapists obsess over? The mind-body connection is a very simple yet imperative concept for essentially all therapeutic models and is defined by the notion that the mind and body directly influence each other. At our core, human beings are biological creatures and we have primal bodily needs that need to be acknowledged and addressed or else we will quite literally not function properly. These factors can include shelter from the elements, the air we breathe, the food we eat, the sleep we acquire that allows for healthy cognitive functioning and rejuvenation, as well as interpersonal connectivity needs for some (such as sex). If any of these components are disrupted, hindered, or challenged, then the individual will display strong impact onto their mental health presentation. The alternative is also true - when an individual is excelling and confident that their basic needs are consistently met, their mental health will often reflect this in a positive presentation.
An example of achieving the wellness initiative of a strong mind-body connection is an individual who is mindful and aware of their personal nutritional needs and opportunities for consistent bodily movement. It could also be displayed in an individual putting effort in the self care of acquiring and maintaining comfort in their home and developing nurturing qualities in their living space. One strong example of the mind-body connection is an individual conceptualizing the impact their interpersonal relationships have on their health presentation. Are their connections negatively or positively influencing their efforts in maintaining their health objectives? Do they feel physiologically stressed and overwhelmed with the perceived obligation of these connections?
With intensive therapeutic interventions, such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), the mind-body connection is a very imperative component of treating the whole individual. The interconnectedness between bodily sensations when processing distressing events and the cognitive/emotional perception of the experience is paramount. For many individuals the skill of self assessment with the mind-body connection is a challenging one that takes practice. It is common for survivors of traumatic events to subconsciously disconnect their awareness of physical responses to distress. In other scenarios, the opposite may occur where the individual solely experiences the physical responses with minimal connection to their understanding of their role in the event.
There are many clinical exercises and interventions that can enhance one’s development of the mind-body connection and they range from guided meditation to yoga to basic breath work. These exercises can be brief or intensive depending on the advancement of the client. Essentially the goal of the directive is to be an active listener of how the body communicates with the mind. If there is a feeling of any internal disruption (i.e. stress, pain, digestive difficulties, sadness, etc.) then you need to become a detective in considering interconnected components that might be attributing to it because it will lead to potential solutions and minimize self-sabotaging efforts (i.e. substance use for self-medication, avoidance, etc.). You are the best equipped entity to manage yourself as a whole, and the mind-body connection can help secure where your efforts are best directed.
Best Regards,
Amanda J. Nowak, LPC, LMHC
August 17, 2024
