The Essay On Mind-Body Connection Affecting Emotions And Health

Parismita Goswami

Emotions define one’s current state of being, good or bad.

They have been a part of humankind for ages, but recently, humankind started acknowledging its connection with mind and body.

Research suggests this ancient knowledge, showing that healthy emotions must be experienced and expressed correspondingly to enhance mental and physical well-being.

Plato and Aristotle, two ancient Greek philosophers, discussed the connection between the mind and body. Aristotle thought of the mind as the seat of consciousness and reason, while Plato considered the body a transient vehicle for the everlasting soul.

“At times, spiritual ways like forgiving and letting go to the past or any bad experience is like a pilgrimage act to the mind, body, and soul. By understanding how the mind and body work together, you can make lifestyle changes to improve your physical and mental well-being.”

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of ancient China also acknowledged the connection between the mind and body.

As psychologist Dr. Barbara L. Fredrickson of the University of North Carolina says, “All emotions—whether positive or negative—are adaptive in the right circumstances.”

You experience a positive perspective and philosophy towards life and surroundings if you can control your emotions. On the other hand, it boosts your physical and emotional health. And how do you do that? By not letting stress regulate your mind and body.

Barbara Fredrickson also has shown that positive emotions:

Broaden our perspective of the world (thus inspiring more creativity, wonder, and options)
Build over time, creating lasting emotional resilience and flourishing.

Happiness is not the only positive emotion. Instead, it is the ability to cope with adverse situations and regain their ability to get on with life and do what is expected of them. This is called resilience. And, in today’s time, resilience is invaluable to living a meaningful and purposeful life.

Resilient people experience emotions such as pain, sorrow, frustration, and grief without crumbling. Despite the pain or suffering they are experiencing, they can overcome it through a sense of positivity.

How To Overcome Negativity Bias?

The Essay On Mind-Body Connection Affecting Emotions And Health

“Negativity bias” means spending too much time contemplating the minor frustrations we experience—minor fights or disagreements— and ignoring the many chances we have to experience goodness and gratitude in life.

Our brains function as command centers, sending signals to many portions of our bodies. Nevertheless, our emotions and thoughts also communicate with our brains. The bodies of humans release feel-good hormones when we are joyful.

Stress, worry, and depression, on the other hand, can cause bodily symptoms such as stiff muscles or even migraines. They can cause more severe damage to our bodies, proven to more serious illnesses such as auto-immune function and cardiovascular health.

At times, spiritual ways like forgiving and letting go to the past or any bad experience is like a pilgrimage act to the mind, body, and soul. By understanding how the mind and body work together, you can make lifestyle changes to improve your physical and mental well-being.

Know About Your Emotional Health

I know many of you picture your physical health when talking about health. But, it is beyond that. But a more holistic way will consider the state of your physical and mental health (mind-body connection) by looking into your emotional health.

It has more to do with emotional regulation, awareness, and coping skills. Learn by being more aware of yourself if you struggle with emotional health. Besides, there are many ways to overcome issues related to emotional wellness and build better mind-body connections.

Images from different sources

Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking. You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com (For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary)