WHAT DOES YOUR body KNOW ABOUT YOUR mund!

Discover the secret connection between the two and harness the power to boost your wellbeing physically and mentally, writes somatic healing expert Lydia Levine

- Lydia Levine

The body and mind may seem like entirely separate entities, but they are more closely connected than you might think. Just as the body can hold on to physical stress and tension, so too can it lock in emotional stress and tension, which can lead to a number of physical responses.

As an example, chronic stress is thought to cause inflammation within the body, which can increase blood pressure and, as a result, the risk of heart disease. Stress can also negatively impact our sleep routines, interrupt exercise motivation and lead to us making unhealthy food choices.

Similarly, anxiety can lead to the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which can boost blood sugar, weaken the immune system and has been linked to digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Stress and anxiety can certainly serve us up a buffet of health issues, but taking steps to better understand the mind-body connection can guide us to the underlying source of many physical and mental health conditions, allowing us to tackle the root cause.

Somatic healing is designed to effectively address trauma and emotional pain that's been stored in the body for many years. While somatic healing for trauma should always be carried out by a professional with training and experience in this area, many of the more general principles and techniques can be helpful when trying to reduce symptoms of anxiety or stress. Some of these benefits include:

• Enhanced self-awareness

• A deeper connection with the physical body

• The ability to process and release pent-up emotions

• Reduced stress and a calmer nervous system

• Reduced physical tension in the body

• Enhanced mindfulness

• Improved physical health

• A bigger toolbox of coping mechanisms

• A sense of being more grounded and balanced

• Enhanced resilience

Understanding and improving the mind-body connection