The mind body connection
We talk about the mind and body as if they are separate things. But have you ever really experienced your mind roaming out in public without your body? I haven’t, but I would probably lose my mind if that was possible.
Wordplay aside, we actually do treat ourselves as separate, categorized beings. But regardless of the way we think or talk about the link or lack of unity, our bodies do reflect our minds. For example, if you feel stress, and experience that stress as the weight of the world being on your shoulders, then you might actually have shoulders that are tight and sore and need a massage.
That's just one example, but I'm sure you can come up with plenty of others like it. This phenomenon works both ways. The mind also responds to the body. I learned in high school that posture had an influence on focus. When I began teaching music I had my students have good posture, and told them to observe their focus while having good posture. Many of them reported better focus as well as a better attitude. I know this is anecdotal but it was a common experience.
Now try this out for yourself. SMILE. Now smile again. Feel any different? You just might.
When you smile, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides to help fight off stress. Then other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins come into play. These chemicals and hormones are key to our health, mental and physical. Some of these are key to chemical expressions of happiness.
Now, why would a personal trainer be talking about this? Because I want you to know that you can change the structure of your mind just as much as you can change the structure of your body.
Moreover, I want to tell you “they” are not separate, “they” are you! So as you develop your body or mind, you are transforming all of you. And if you find your mental state isn’t in line with your physical goals, sometimes just moving will change your mindset.
I had a yoga teacher tell the class once, just get your body here and your mind will show up. I have experienced this to be true.
When you’re having trouble starting a training program, do something, anything, even if it’s simply walking everyday. See if that simple change helps the process to begin. One of my favorite memes online is, “When the weight of the world is on your shoulders….SQUAT.” This always makes me chuckle, because my “go to” when I am stressed is to work out real hard. But that’s just me. Something as simple as a smile could change your mind.