The mind and the body are connected, that we know. But did you kbow that the mind can affect our health as well?
Sure, let’s get scientific about it! Why not?
The brain and body are connected through neural pathways made up of neurotransmitters, hormones and chemicals. These pathways transmit signals between the body and the brain to control our everyday functions, from breathing, digestion and pain sensations to movement, thinking and feeling.
It is easy to imagine the brain’s connection to the body but it is difficult to imagine the mind and body’s connection because the body is a physical thing that you can see but the mind is not. If I asked you right now to show me where your mind is, what would you say? Would you point to your brain? The truth is, the mind is not synonymous with the brain. The mind is made up of our mental states such as our thoughts, emotions, beliefs and attitudes.
When talking about feeling fit or being fit, it usually comes with physical fitness like living an active lifestyle. But no one really realises that you need to think about your mental fitness as well. There are times when you just don’t feel motivated to workout, right? Do you think that your body is telling you that?… Think again.
It’s time to shift the perspective and consider how fit your mind is. What does it mean to have a fit mind? First we have to be aware of our mind. Then we have to understand what mindfulness is.
The Oxford dictionary defines mindfulness as “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.” It is a practice where you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. This can be done through a variety of methods but most commonly mindfulness is considered a form of meditation. Allowing yourself to be still, in a place with no distractions will assist you in achieving mindfulness as in the silence is where you can truly hear your own thoughts.
Some examples of mindfulness exercises include:
Paying attention: slowing down and noticing the things you might usually miss or take for granted.
Living in the moment: being consciously intentional with the way you live your life. A simple example is not having any distractions while you eat, no phones, no other devices; just you and your food.
Focusing on your breathing: try to sit down, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body. How your chest rises as you inhale and falls as you exhale.
Now that we have established the idea of mindfulness, let’s see how we can incorporate it into our daily lives. Your definition of being fit should come from more than just the physical. It is about understanding your needs and knowing how you feel when you are performing any physical activities.
You might have a friend that absolutely loves running but you can’t stand it. Yet you do it anyway because it is a good form of cardio. Why would you choose to do something you despise? Just because someone else loves it? When you attach negative feelings towards something (or someone), how can you expect it to make you feel good?
Running is not for everyone. It does not have to be for you. Find what you love and what truly makes you feel good. Then notice the difference you feel after doing it. The mind is an incredible tool to help us achieve what at first, may seem impossible. The mind is a muscle and just like any other part of the body, you can train your mind for success.
A fit mind and a fit body is unique to each individual. Honor yourself and do what works for you. And remember that it is a daily practice to keep our mind and our body’s healthy.
If you like the idea of a healthy mind and a healthy body visit dini_fitmind for some mindfulness practice!
This article is written in collaboration with Nandini Sehgal
