Mind-Body Recovery Relationship

Just Another Day...

It seemed like just another day, my alarm went off at exactly 7:45am, as it does every day. I received my suggested 8 hours of sleep and I was ready to conquer the day. At least that’s what I thought. Then reality set in, the kids were already fighting, the dogs barking, and I wasn’t looking forward to my strenuous day of work. Not to mention I hadn’t had my morning cup of coffee yet, send help. My mind started spinning as responsibilities began settling into their daily places. Just as quickly as I opened my eyes, it seemed like the normal stresses of life seemed to weasel their way back into my mind. As I started to feel stressed, it was like clockwork that my body decided to shut down. I just woke up, don’t they say 8 hours of sleep is the suggested amount for an adult? So how can I already feel tired? It’s occurrences like these that got me thinking about the relationship between our mind and body. More specifically, how does our mind and body relationship help or hinder our physical recovery. 

Do You Want To Be More Than Friends?

If you’ve ever been asked this question or you’ve done the asking yourself, you’ve experienced the mind-body connection. Nervous or anxious thoughts may lead to physical sweating, butterflies in your stomach, and an inability to clearly communicate your feelings. On the other hand, enthusiastic or excited thoughts might lead you to shout out “YES!!!”, while throwing your arms around your new boo! In all seriousness, your mind and body are more than just friends. They work synonymously with one another, helping or hindering your overall recovery.

Positive Thoughts, Beneficial Healing

According to University of Michigan Health, “negative thoughts and emotions can keep your brain from producing some of the chemicals that help your body heal”. This was an eye opener for me, as it was a clear reminder that positive thoughts and emotions can assist in my healing. Now don’t get down on yourself if your recovery isn’t going exactly how you had hoped, the truth is somethings are out of our control. We can only do our best, and the amazing Massage Professionals we visit will do their best as well.

Practical Steps To Take

I don’t know about you, but I appreciate clear and practical steps to take. So I wanted to provide you with some steps or practices to apply in your life so that you can assist your body in its post-massage recovery. 

• Self Reflect, identify the areas in your life that may need some adjusting. 

-What areas of your life are causing you the most stress? How can you adjust your thoughts to see these areas in a more positive light?

• Take a break, yes I said it.

-It’s okay to take a break. Find those pockets throughout your day where you can refocus. Do something that can relax your body and clear your mind. Listen to your favorite music. Do 5 minutes of meditation and deep breathing. Go for a 10 minute walk.

• Give yourself some grace, we are all far from perfect.

-Understand that you won’t always be perfect, your thoughts won’t always be positive, and your body may not always feel it’s best. Take each day, one moment at a time. You can do this, I believe in you!

Sources:

Mind-Body Wellness. Mind-Body Wellness | Michigan Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/mente.