Healthy Mind and Healthy Body

We all go through times where we feel great and times we have lack of energy, perhaps feel ill or get sick. As a physical therapist and healthcare executive, I have longstanding interest in integrative (complementary) medicine and am fascinated about the connection between our mind and our body.

Not only what happens in the mind and how it relates to what happens in our body, but also nature’s concepts of constriction and expansion as valuable notions to enhance our health and wellbeing. Let me share more of these ideas with you.

"How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours." ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

Many years ago, while I was still in Germany, I started to follow Deepak Chopra and still, Dr. Chopra, the fascinating pioneer and leader in this field, is going strong. He says in an article published in the Huffington Post, "The greatest insight for transformation we can have is that we have immense power to influence what happens in our biology. It is important to realize that our physical bodies are not fixed anatomical structures but dynamic processes that are constantly changing. These processes are influenced by everyday activities such as eating, breathing, digesting, metabolism, elimination, sensory experience and our inner world of thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, desires, dreams and choices.

Further, he shares really good news: "Nothing in our body is totally fixed. From recent studies we know that several biomarkers of the aging process can be reversed within four months of lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes include better sleep, exercise, stress management, diet, loving relationships and other behavioral changes."

This knowledge gives us power. We can affect how we feel - improve our physical health and wellbeing - with very easy lifestyle changes. While it is well known that exercises, playing, walking in nature, laughter, restful sleep, meditation, music, dancing, and similar activities, affect our body positively, there is something that has a miraculous impact.

The most potent anti-aging and wellness remedy is letting go of the heavy baggage of anger and resentment! When we carry the heavy bag of anger with us, we are the ones who carry the bag, not the person who upset us. Letting go of this heavy bag is freeing. Just try it - your body will feel amazing once you get rid of the heavy load!

Today, make a commitment to yourself to let go of negative things and fill your life with positive habits. This change will affect you body's physiology and, thus, boost your wellbeing. You will notice increased energy and reverse your aging biomarkers - you will look and feel younger!

Nature's Guidance System

Like nature shows us the dark and the light, the yin and the yang, we go through times of constriction and growth. "Nature guides us through internal experiences of contraction and expansion," as noted by Janet Bray Atwood. In general, contraction feels uncomfortable - we feel angry, tense, irritable, disconnect, unhappy. When we are expanded we feel happy, excited, open, connected, loving, generous and compassionate. It feels good.

"When you feel contraction, stop and look. When you feel expanded, go forward with gusto." ~ Janet Bray Atwood

Janet notes that when we are contracted nature says stop, take a break, look again, and reflect. "Slow down in order to move forward. Reflect and stay open to what is appearing in your life now. You'll be giving yourself the change for new ideas, new solutions, and new opportunities to show up."

Contraction is an important phase of our life - a chance to rethink our priorities and take care of our mind and body. Contraction is always followed by expansion - the sun always rises - the opportunities and positive change will show up.

When you enter the phase of expansion, you suddenly feel enthusiastic again and full of energy. It's the signal to move forward into action with excitement. You will notice the change in your body. Everything seems to be easy and you are going with the flow embracing all possibilities. You feel joy!

MOTIVATION MOMENT:
"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself." ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer