Connecting the dots: the Mind-Body Connection
Let’s examine two common scenarios; we have a busy mom running her children to and from events, preparing meals, meeting work deadlines, participating in her own hobbies until she is suddenly derailed with a cold. In another scenario, we have a business owner that never ‘clocks out’. They are busy with lead calls, creating systems, the daily work flow, networking and employee care. Suddenly this high producing manager has to shut down to manage the flu.
In both situations we have two individuals who seem to be thriving at maintaining a balance in their lives and succeeding in their tasks but had ‘lost control’ of their health. In many cases we may be quick to determine the illness was inevitable but are there ways we could have prevented it?
Our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes positively or negatively affect our biological functions. To some extent, as simply as accepting that it’s ‘cold and flu season’ can send us on a path where we are more likely to become a victim of sickness. Our busy mom may not have taken enough time to make sure she was washing her hands after the grocery store, moving her body every day, or drinking plenty of water. Our business owner may consistently stay up late on conference calls. Both could add in small daily habits that may prevent future illnesses and promote long-term health.
Some overlooked influencers to our health are: posture, stress, sleep, thoughts, words, food and movement.
Poor posture can put physical stress on the body which can then lead to anxiety, decreased energy and an overall lack of motivation. Throughout the day, remind yourself to roll your shoulders back, relax, straighten your neck and take a few deep breaths to stabilize your core. You can put a neon sticker on your computer or desk to remind you every time you notice it to do a quick scan of your body’s current position.
Positive affirmations in our words and thoughts will create our daily reality. Using statements such as “I can”, “I will”, and “I’m able”, can change your mindset to one of success and health. If you are reading a shared post on cold season or the flu; turn it around by saying or thinking, ‘I am so thankful to have a resilient and healthy body’. Form the existence that you want with the language you surround yourself with.
Stress is unavoidable, but we can control how we respond to and process stress. Stress in fact can be positive, it’s function is intended to alert us that we need to make a change. Reflect on your stressors and see where you can be grateful. Be grateful for the responsibilities you have been given at work as they show confidence and capability. Be grateful for your busy schedule as it means your life is rich, and it will help you appreciate your down time. When stress gets overwhelming, go back to our practices in posture. Do a quick body scan, take a few deep breaths and regroup.
Food and movement are both health promoting tools. By choosing foods that contain the vitamins, minerals and energy needed by your body you are allowing your body to perform as it’s best self. Simple, single ingredient foods are nutrient dense and have properties designed to enhance cognition. Cooking can also be therapeutic, giving you time to be creative and focus on new flavors. Daily movement produces ‘happy’ hormones like serotonin and dopamine to spike productivity and boost your confidence.
The benefits of adequate sleep are numerous. Sleep is required to have healthy hormone function and reduces your risk for illness. Lack of sleep can lead to poor cognition throughout the day putting you at risk for minor to serious mistakes. Lack of sleep also alters your insulin resistance and can be linked to obesity. Check your sleep hygiene for better sleep. Do you have a nighttime routine that signals to your body it is time to wind down. Turn off all electronics in the bedroom and avoid screens before bedtime. Make sure your bedroom is completely dark and turn the thermostat down to a cooler sleep temperature.
In the clinic, we celebrate our patients when they have reached their ‘wellness’ phase. This phase signals that we are no longer attacking an acute problem but are able to treat your care as another deposit in your bank of good health. The doctor has the opportunity to check in with your movement function, identifying any precursors for an issue and stopping them before it becomes a problem. This preventative step is another way to create a positive affirmation for yourself that you are on top of your healthcare and maintaining your health!
Your Movement Specialist - Kristy Racinowski
Sometimes life in the clinic can be tiring. Dr. Ryan takes comfort knowing his favorite Disney Princess will rock him gently to sleep in song!