Maybe you’re familiar with the tremendous power of the mind-body connection.
Your mind and your thoughts influence your body, including your energy level, wellness, vitality, and health.
I started thinking about this after picking up my copy of “Love, Medicine, and Miracles,” Dr. Bernie Siegel’s inspirational book about healing. He describes how he helped his patients access their desire to heal in their journey to wellness.
Let’s take a look at how this works.
Take me, for example.
I love to be busy, so I often fill up my calendar will a lot of commitments, projects, and tasks. Suddenly, I get busy. Then, I get busier.
Eventually, life gets hectic.
My thoughts sound like this:
“I’m so busy, I can’t handle this.”
“I have no time for myself.”
Fast forward a few days, and I’ve caught a cold. I land up taking a break from all this busy-ness because I’m in bed, sniffling through boxes of tissues.
Connect the dots?
I have.
Yes, this is my mind-body connection at work.
What’s fascinating is that the way we think influences how long we live! I was blown away by this TEDtalk by Kelly McGonigal, whose message inspired me to rethink my thoughts about stress.
Again, reinforcing how powerful the messages we give our body are to our health.
I decided to consciously change my thoughts when I notice these patterns.
My new chosen thoughts are:
“I love to be busy.”
“It’s fun to be accomplishing so much.”
And to change my thoughts about stress, practicing using stress as an opportunity to rise to the occasion, to challenge myself to be better.
Take the time to reflect on the messages that you are giving your body via your thoughts. Is there something you want to change?
Wow, Miriam! Thank you for sharing! I really can relate and love reading your down-to-earth, helpful advice and research! Thank you for sharing