The power of the mind has been well noted throughout the centuries of existing scientific research. There’s no mistaking its infinite ability to influence the way we feel, both emotionally and physically. While you may not believe that you can will yourself to better health through the power of positive thinking, there’s definitely something to be said for mind-body medicine.
A holistic health provider is known to take a look at all of the daily things that have an impact on your health. Nutrition, medication, sleep habits, and more will all play a major role in determining the best course of action to improve your wellbeing. However, your spiritual and emotional health can also be key players in your overall condition.
The major tenet of mind-body medicine is examining how your brain, body, mind, and behavior interact to make up your lifestyle and how they affect your overall health. Mind-body medicine focuses on the way that your mental processes can actively and directly affect your health.
What does mind-body medicine look like?
You may have already taken part in mind-body medicine without even realizing it. Plenty of people are actively participating in this major concept, according to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. More than 19 percent of adults in the United States participated in at least one type of mind-body therapy in the previous year.
While it’s all well and good to understand that this form of medicine plays an important role in daily functioning, you may be wondering what it looks like practically. What sort of therapies are considered a part of mind-body medicine?
- Meditation
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Hypnosis
- Biofeedback
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Many of these strategies are used as a form of preventative healthcare, such as teaching mindfulness or sorting through emotional hang-ups from the past. Others integrate the physical aspect of your health as well, masquerading as prominent forms of exercise. Yoga and tai chi classes allow patients to clearly identify the mind-body connection. Regular practitioners tend to report lower levels of stress as well as an increase in their physical strength and stamina.
Why does it work?
There’s been a lot of research conducted that demonstrates the powerful connection between the mind and body. The placebo effect on pain management is a clear example of how it may work. When patients are informed they’re receiving pain medication for a condition, they often report lower levels of pain. The same holds true even if they unknowingly are taking a placebo pill without any painkillers.
Science seems to be indicating that the brain and nervous system can play a key role in determining our health. The things we tell ourselves can determine how we feel physically on a daily basis.
Mind-body medicine can certainly be explored on your own, but a qualified holistic health expert may be able to offer you specific suggestions. Based on your health history, they should be able to come up with a treatment plan that gives you specific suggestions for each area of your life. Don’t take the condition of your mind and psychological health for granted.
