Shannon D Martin: 0:01

Hello, beautiful welcome to today's conversation where we're going to talk about understanding the mind-body connection. Let's talk about it. I'm your host, Shannon Martin, and welcome to today's episode of this Thing Called Wellness. Hello and welcome back. I hope it's sunny where you are. It's a bit dreary here in Georgia and the rain just keeps coming, but we are here again for another week, and this week I wanted to talk to you about a mind and body connection.

Shannon D Martin: 0:38

Mind-body connection is defined as the idea that our thoughts, emotions and physical sensations are all intertwined, meaning that our mind and body are constantly communicating with each other, and by doing this, it has a great impact over how we feel. Now, isn't that something? Minds and bodies are really truly amazing. For instance, when we're stressed out or feeling anxious, mind will send signals to our body that releases stress hormones, and these can lead to symptoms like tension, headache, digestive issues or chronic pain. And I know we've all felt that sometimes the mind and body are not separate. What affects one affects the other, anonymous. But on the other hand, our lifestyle choices have a way of impacting our mental state. Our lifestyle choices have a way of impacting our mental state. For instance, if we're physically active, like we exercise every day, we eat healthy, we have our regular required daily water intake right. We're feeding our mind positive, good things, so it benefits us. We're sending signals to our mind that will improve our moods and energy levels and our focus.

Shannon D Martin: 2:12

The way we think and feel can either support or sabotage our physical health. The power of our thoughts and beliefs can affect our mind and body. Thoughts and beliefs can affect our mind and body. Having negative talk, chronic stress and live-in-teen beliefs can contribute to our pain and fatigue, which can then lead to excessive chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and digestive issues. On the other hand, if we use the power of positive thinking, self-care and mindfulness, we can boost our immune system, reducing inflammation and improving our mood and energy levels. Therapies can help us work through our past traumas that we store in our bodies and help us release them, giving us a new way to heal and feel better. The body achieves what the mind believes Anonymous. So what does all this mean? We have talked about all this before and it all comes down to the same conclusion, but it continues to get deeper into how we think and feel on a daily basis.

Shannon D Martin: 3:29

We're not always going to feel 100% every day. Some days we may get to 50%. At best we may get to drink four glasses of water for the day, maybe even two. We may eat two solid meals and one liquid that day. We may only eat one liquid and one solid. We may not have planned the meals out on Saturday and Sunday for the week, or we may not have exercised the four days out of the week for 30 minutes each day. That's required to keep our bodies moving. We may just be doing the best we can, taking note of it and doing a little bit better the next time. The next time, because when you are in a state of depression or anxiety, you're exhausted pretty much some of the time. Right, your body has gone through a lot of unrest on the inside and you have to give her time to heal. And I think about my best friend said you know you have to take baby steps. I heard her but I didn't really listen. I thought I could bounce back and be fine, but no, you really have to take your time. Your body may not have moved in years like mine.

Shannon D Martin: 4:52

I was sedentary for a few years. I gained weight and a couple of those chronic illnesses were added to my ailments, so I had additional concerns. I had to be careful what I ate or didn't eat. I had to be careful of sugars, you know, gluten and all the kinds of things that I never had to worry about before. I had to start educating myself on different ways of cooking and eating and drinking, and I still do, because I have to continue to create a cleaner, healthier lifestyle for myself as I'm getting older, and it has been challenging, and that's when this new way of thinking and believing comes into play. If I don't believe that I am over 50 and I can lose this weight, I can and will strengthen my inner core, because I'm totally fatigued and my body is just, totally, just mushy right on the inside, and I can beat this chronic pain that I feel on a daily basis, no matter how much it hurts. I will keep moving these positive affirmations I tell myself every day and the prayers that I say. They just have to keep me going. They, they have to be present every day and foremost in our lives every day, to continue to be on this wellness journey.

Shannon D Martin: 6:25

We have to pay attention to how we feel and how we're not feeling, and when we're not feeling well, we have to use the techniques and tools that we're taught, like the meditation, the deep breathing, self-love, physical activities and mindfulness to get ourselves out of that state or that vicious cycle right, as well as knowing to rest and reset Mindful moment. Today we talked about the mind-body connection. Remember that they are constantly communicating with each other, like two best friends. They're chatting away, trying to keep each other balanced out, trying to help each other out. They're constantly talking. So by practicing self-care and finding what works for you will nourish both your physical and emotional well-being, improving our mental health and building resilience in the process. Remember, take small steps each day to care for your mind and body can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being. By paying attention to your connection and making conscious choices, you can create a deeper sense of well-being and on your way to thrive. Love you, girl. Thank you for joining me. I hope you found value in today's conversation where we talked about understanding the mind-body connection.

Shannon D Martin: 8:02

I am your host, Shannon Martin. Be sure to join us next Wednesday where we will discuss power of positive thinking. Until then, stay well. If you enjoyed today's episode, let me know what you think by sending me a text. Yes, a text message. There's a link in the show notes at the very top that you can click on and let me know what you think about the podcast. So far, the episodes are just the same. Keep up the good work. I'd love to hear from you. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It really helps new listeners find us and join our wellness community. Thank you for tuning in. Disclaimer I am not a licensed mental health professional. Disclaimer I am not a licensed mental health professional. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you need help, please consult a qualified mental health professional.