In addition to your physical mind/body presence, you also have a spiritual presence. Both exist in the physical world, but the spiritual presence also exists in the subconscious. In this sense, whether you are conscious of it or not, you stand on both sides of the physical and spiritual worlds. Working mindfully on balancing your physical/spiritual self helps you better understand and respond to real-world challenges. You should consider this especially if you feel like things aren’t happening fast enough for you. There are times when your mind has a desire that your spiritual self knows you are not ready to experience yet. If this happens, you can lessen the frustration by keeping the physical mind/body and nonphysical spirit better connected to feel more satisfied.
Numerous studies have also confirmed that mental and physical health are intimately interconnected. Our body’s biology and chemistry directly influence our state of mind, while our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs affect physiological well-being. Considering how vital this relationship is for the healthy functioning of both body and mind, it’s no wonder it’s known as the mind-body connection.
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You can restore and strengthen this supremely beneficial balance through these 21 powerful to-dos, with immediate and long-term results.
21 To-Dos for Deepening the Mind/Body Connection
- Practice meditation
- Master deep breathing
- Stick with healthy eating
- Stay hydrated
- Make sleep a priority
- Spend time in nature
- Engage in daily exercise
- Practice yoga
- Do Tai Chi
- Take active breaks
- Release toxic emotions
- Embrace the moment
- Enjoy hearty laughter
- Practice gratitude
- Keep a journal
- Limit screen time
- Cultivate loving relationships
- Be mindful of your posture
- Be grateful for your senses
- Indulge in music
- Commit to a creative hobby
“It only takes a reminder to breathe, a moment to be still and just like that something in me settles, softens, and makes space for imperfection. The harsh voice of judgement drops to a whisper and I remember again that life isn’t a relay race; that we will all cross the finish line; that waking up to life is what we were born for. As many times as I forget, catch myself charging forward without even knowing where I’m going, that many times I can choose to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk slowly into the mystery.”
~Danna Faulds
Related: Exploring The Qualities of Mindfulness
Mindfulness Exercise: Deepening the Mind/Body Connection
This week, we are bringing awareness to the body. The activity challenges below are designed to help you pay attention to the passing sensations of the body, both as you rest in stillness, as with the body scan, and when you are moving, as with the walking meditation and your informal practice.
- Pick an activity that constitutes part of your evening routine, such as brushing your teeth, taking a shower, putting on your pyjamas, or taking off your make-up.
- When you do it, totally focus your attention on all aspects of the activity: the body movements, the taste, the thought, the smell, the sight, the sound and so on. Notice what’s happening with an attitude of openness and curiosity. Write down what you observe in the body as you perform this activity each day.
- Listen to the guided body scan provided below. Write a short reflection about whatever you noticed mentally, physically, or emotionally after doing this practice for the first time. Repeat this practice at least 3 days this week.
- Find a quiet place where you can walk undisturbed for about 10 minutes. Pick a path that is 15-20 feet long and walk very slowly back and forth along the path. Bring your full, undivided attention to the lower legs and feet.
- Close your eyes if you can. Reflect on and write about any thoughts, feelings, or sensations you noticed during this practice. Alternate this practice with the body scan, for a total of 3 times this week.
Here is a helpful form for keeping track of your activities and what you notice along the way:
Weekly Activity Record Form:
| Day | What I did | Observations |
| Monday | ||
| Tuesday | ||
| Wednesday | ||
| Thursday | ||
| Friday | ||
| Saturday | ||
| Sunday |
What am I committing to do?
Activity One:
Activity Two:
Activity Three:
Checking in: What have I learned about myself this week? What would I like to continue doing? What would I like to shift (if anything) based on what I noticed about myself?
Deepening the Mind/Body Connection FAQs
What does it mean to deepen your mind?
Developing a deeper mind, body, and spirit connection comes down to slowing down from the hectic pace of your day-to-day physical existence and being present in the present moment.
What is the mind-body connection theory?
There is an intimate connection between physical and emotional health that is known as the mind-body connection. In addition to our thoughts and beliefs, our chemistry and biology influence our moods and emotions. The combination of all of these factors influences stress and physical health significantly.
How do you deepen your mind?
Ways to Deepen Your Mind-Body Connection:
1. Practice meditation.
Here’s your meditation music to get you started:
2. Master deep breathing.
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3. Stick with healthy eating.
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4. Stay hydrated.
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5. Make sleep a priority.
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6. Spend time in nature.
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7. Engage in daily exercise.
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8. Practice yoga.
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What does it mean to deepen your spirituality?
The process of spiritual growth involves not only growing and deepening our faith and beliefs, but also growing our inner spirit — believing and loving ourselves and others. The goal is to help ourselves, as well as the people around us, to improve their lives.
“If the mind is tranquil and occupied with positive thoughts, the body will not easily fall prey to disease.”
– Dalai Lama XIV
Conclusion
You can achieve a meditative state of mind through artistic expressions like painting, sculpture, music, and even cooking. It has been proven that such activities reduce stress and anxiety and help resolve internal conflicts as well as external problems.
You can boost your zest for life and self-esteem by giving yourself a mental workout, such as learning something new or trying something new.
Root Chakra Healing Chants for mind/body: LET GO OF FEARS & INSECURITIES: Seed Mantra “LAM” Chanting Meditation
Also Read: Learning to Pay Attention