Integration of Mind and Body

What happens when you make all your decisions from the mind and don’t listen to the signals your body sends you? You miss out on some incredibly important pieces of information about yourself. Your body’s intelligence is nothing to mess around with. Your body has awareness before your brain is able to logically process anything. It’s easy to get so lost in your thoughts that you ignore your body-informed wisdom. We don’t like to be uncomfortable–it makes us anxious and scared. We would much rather avoid such things and live in our own fantasy land. That’s not always feasible. Integrating your mind and body will help you gain more self-awareness and make better decisions for your mental and physical health. Here’s how:

Body-focused meditation

Give yourself time to tap into your body’s wisdom. Find a comfortable position, close your eyes, and mentally scan different parts of your body, allowing yourself to deepen your connection with the sensations happening inside the body. You can start with your head and move down, or start with your feet and move up–whatever you are drawn to that day. You are observing what you physically feel without judgement. In brain-body integration, it’s important to allow your body to just be so that you can accurately and easily hear its messages.

Feel your feelings

When you suppress your feelings, they get stuck in your body and can manifest as pain and sickness. You’re a human who is meant to experience the full range of your emotions–that’s why we have them! They send us signals and can help us figure out what is really going on. Take time to figure out how your emotions really feel in the body. Is your chest heavy or light? What sensations do you feel in your stomach? Observe these things without judging what is going on, and then let them go. The benefits of full body wisdom are endless.

Move as your body was intended to

Your body needs to move in order to release the energy that gets trapped inside. When you experience strong emotions or trauma, that will get stuck inside your body, creating pain and discomfort. Yoga, Qi Gong, gentle pilates, Tai Chi, dance, and martial arts are all movement-based practices that will help you connect with your physical body and let your body’s intelligence lead. It’s very important that you follow your body’s natural flow and rhythm, so make sure you practice in a peaceful space that makes you feel safe enough to move without fear of judgement or ridicule.

Nourish your body

Take care of your body by stretching it, feeding it good food, and watering it. Give yourself a massage, and really savor the sensation of your own touch. This not only helps you integrate the mind and body, but it also strengthens your self-love practice. You can also nourish your body by grounding yourself in nature. Take deep breaths of the fresh, outdoor air and make a point to walk barefoot outside. You will feel so much more connected with yourself!

Engage with life

When your mind and body are disconnected, you start to live your life on autopilot. You might frequently zone out, feel disconnected from others, say yes to things you don’t want to because you’re unsure of your needs, or feel like your days lack meaning and purpose. Movement helps you release trapped emotions and re-engage with life in a mindful way. This can be a simple, daily practice like stretching your body, breathing, and wiggling the way your body wants to.

If you feel stuck on your healing journey, working with a therapist can help. Based on your needs, our intake specialist will help you get matched up with your perfect therapist. Click here to schedule a consultation.

Starting with a creative written voice and a BA in English from ASU, Alli Cravener has become so much more than Integrative Counsel’s voice! Not only is she a writer who is passionate about connecting concepts and content, Alli is also currently a grad student working towards her Master’s in Counseling. She is also the editor-in-chief, office manager, AND intake specialist at Integrative Counsel. When you call us, you’ll talk to Alli! Alli’s interests include painting, history, learning about other people, and wearing the color pink. She likens herself to a “mouse in a palm tree”, and she loves it that way.