The Mind-Body Balance

 

July 31, 2023 (repost from April 3, 2023) 

 

Mind-Body is another phrase or term that’s being tossed around in the same way that lovingkindness is, a bit like a buzzword, but it actually means something. Mind-body balance is when your mind and body are aligned. That’s it, pretty straight forward. Mind-body balance is simply having a steady flow of energy between mind and body, uniting them. The idea of the mind-body balance is a key point of Ayurveda.

But, what’s not straight forward are the affects of not achieving mind-body balance, they can present in many ways. Your mind will be saying one thing, while your body is saying another. My dad used to call it “letting your mind write checks that your @$$ can’t cash”. Quite a wise old man was he.

 

Energy Blocks

Physical ailments manifest from negative emotions, this we know. Negative emotions are energy blocks, they keep the good energy from flowing freely between the mind and body, throwing them out of alignment. Emotions such as depression, anxiety, fear, anger, hatred, sorrow and many more. The good energy flow is replaced with bad energy and thus, physical ailments begin. Headaches, stomach aches, hives, tremors, acne, and high blood pressure are some examples.

 

Open Up the Flow

There are four basic ways in which to keep that good energy flowing:

·                  meditation

·                  diet

·                  exercise

·                  personal growth

Meditation

An important element of meditation is the practice of sustaining awareness and focus, often times on our breath.  A deep breathing meditation would be an excellent way to get more oxygen to your brain for healthier brain function.

 

Diet

Eating nutritious foods offers many health benefits, and in turn creates good energy. Drinking plenty of water, cutting back on alcohol and caffeine consumption, cutting back on sugar consumption, eating lean meats, including fruits and vegetables, and choosing whole grains over refined are great ways to incorporate nutrition.

Exercise

Exercise is critical to any health regimen because of the varying areas of health it promotes. Exercise releases serotonin, endorphons and dopamine. These can all positively affect your mental health and decrease your appetite. One of the great things about exercise is there are unlimited ways to practice it, so it doesn’t have to be boring! Walking, running, weight training, yoga, pilates, HIIT, sporting activities, and many more.

Personal Growth

This phrase can envelope many different ideas. It can mean beginning a health regimen, going back to school, taking up a new hobby, learning a new language, and any other ideas that you feel will help you better yourself.

 

 If you're not sure if you have mind-body balance, you likely don't. Start with a meditation session and ask your mind and body what they need, then listen. 

Namaste