The Mind-Body Connection

By Ellie Graham

The brain is the sole leader of one’s body. This vital organ controls daily functions, physical health, emotions, thoughts, and so much more. In addition to these tasks, the brain is a critical communicative link between our mind and body. You may not know it, but that stomach ache you had during your last math exam was equally as connected to your brain as palpable as the feeling in your stomach; this is because different organs in the body collaborate with one another when activated. 

The body and mind are often treated separately. But evidence demonstrates that our physical and emotional health are intricately interlaced. This mind-body connection, known as the “biopsychosocial paradigm” illustrates that “because of networks of communication that exist between the brain and neurological, endocrine and immune systems,” there really isn’t a “real division between [the] mind and body” (Monroe). 

Both the mind and the body must be deemed equally as important when attempting to improve the state of our mental or physical wellbeing. Typically, when we find ourselves struggling with our mental health, we’ll schedule a  therapy session, however, research shows that making  lifestyle changes may also help. Similarly, when our physical health suffers as a result of our thoughts and feelings negatively influencing our minds, maybe tempting us to ignore our exercise routine, research has found that taking action to improve one’s mental health may also positively affect the physical body. 

Acknowledging the mind-body connection is an important first step in combating many chronic illnesses and mental health diagnoses. Physical symptoms almost always align with our mental state. When combating mental health hurdles, it may feel like symptoms and psychoses are in our head, but they are not. Our body is constantly communicating via chemical and physical messengers. 

Our brain is always awake, listening, and reacting. Our brain anticipates our thoughts and prompts our bodies to have a reaction. These physical symptoms are quite literally our brain telling us to pay attention and seek help! For example, our endocrine system can cause our muscles to tense or a rapid heartbeat just by thinking deeply about something. Furthermore, symptoms of depression may be your brain signaling to you that your gut isn’t healthy (Pert). Signals from our thoughts can change our digestion, immune system, and, even, circulatory system, ultimately impacting the physical systems in our bodies and everyday life. 

When we have a physical or emotional problem, we treat it as an isolated issue from the body in its entirety . But we must realize that everything is connected. For example, our digestive track is the second largest manufacturer of Serotonin in our bodies; thus, the foods you consume have a critical impact on your everyday mood. For example, if you do not have enough magnesium in your body, it can make you anxious. However, deficiencies in the body are easy to modify through dietary changes. Even little things such as not being hydrated enough can impact your mood. Drinking a big glass of water is such an easy fix! If you have recently been sick or gone through surgery, your body has a sickness response in defense to make sure your body has the proper rest it needs to heal. For example, if you have recently had an illness or surgery and feel depressed, this is normal. 

A healthy brain-body connection occurs when our brain and body are in agreement with healing conversations. This means that “your gut is having a healing conversation with your brain, and your heart is telling your brain’s overactive stress-response system that it can calm down.” 

Yes, modern medicine is miraculous. However, immediately jumping to pills and potions may just be a band-aid on a stab wound. Implement simple lifestyle changes and mental wellness practices first to see if anything improves. Better yet, pair your medication with a healthy lifestyle and you will learn to become less reliant on medicine as your body heals itself. You, your brain, and your body are resilient– all you need to do is listen to all its parts to fix the whole, not just the one organ that is presenting the immediate issue.

Reference List:

Monroe, Jamison. “Understanding the Mind-Body Connection.” Newport Academy, Newport Academy, 7 Oct. 2019, https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/understanding-the-mind-body-connection/.  

“The Mind - Body Connection.” Johns Hopkins HealthCare Solutions, 9 Dec. 2021, https://www.johnshopkinssolutions.com/the-mind-body-connection-2/#:~:text=Mind%2DBody%20Connection%20is%20the,social%20factors%20and%20biological%20factors. 

Block, Stanley. Come to your senses: Demystifying the mind-body connection. Simon and Schuster, 2007.

Pert, Candace B. Molecules of emotion: The science behind mind-body medicine. Simon and Schuster, 2010.