Picture this: Your deadline is approaching and you still have a lot to do. Suddenly your phone rings: it’s your partner asking if you can pick up the kids because they had a delay at work and, of course, you still need to do shopping before going away for the weekend.
Your head starts to hurt, your stomach feels “funny” and you are pretty sure your blood pressure just went through the roof - Congratulations, you’re officially sick from stress!
But, can you really get sick from stress? Unfortunately, yes, you can. It turns out that our bodies and minds are intricately intertwined. But how much should we pay attention to this connection? And can we influence it?
Mental stress manifests physically in headaches, tense muscles, and digestive issues. And physical pain negatively impacts our mood and mindset. They continuously influence each other.
In fact, the World Health Organisation defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Meditation expert Andrew Johnson explains how relaxing both is essential:
“There are so many links between how we think and how we feel physically. Everything from shoulder tightness, back tightness, stomach irritability, skin conditions, headaches, and so on and so forth - so the mind affects the body the body affects the mind. But when you learn to relax physically, and emotionally, and energetically, and mentally...you're ticking all the boxes.”
- Andrew Johnson
Understanding, and nurturing, this link between physical and mental health is foundational for our overall well-being.
Nurturing both the mind and the body brings a plethora of benefits. When we prioritise our mental well-being, we can experience reduced stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive function. And guess what? A healthier mind often translates to reduced inflammation and therefore a healthier body.
On the other hand, investing in our physical health through exercise, health-promoting nutrition, and quality sleep positively influences our mental state. It's a beautiful cycle of well-being, where each side fuels and supports the other.
Catching Z's on Trees: This guy gets it!
Now that you understand the significance of this connection, how can you cultivate a harmonious bond between your mind and body? Fear not, for we have some practical tips to share:
By prioritising both our mental and physical health, we unlock a world of well-being, resilience, and joy. So, strive for balance, practice self-care, and remember that your mind and body are inextricably linked. It's a journey worth embarking on—one that holds the promise of a happier, healthier you.
Along with Andrew Johnson, we have found out that many of our customers use BackHug not only to sort their aches and pains but also as a chance to switch off and recharge. With ergonomics, tension relief and an audio library stocked with guided meditation (From Andrew) and white noise sounds of nature, BackHug offers everything you need for some mind and body TLC.
You can relax for 20 minutes, switch off and feel the benefit of looser joints and a more lucid mind - some users even report more full and deeper breathing after their session, as opposed to the short and shallow breathing they experienced before.
“If you can be on BackHug and also go through a relaxation procedure for the mind then tick tick”
- Andrew Johnson