March 30, 2022
Mind, body and health: the connection is key
by Natasha Jha
The mind-body connection is key to our health, and holds the answers to healing when we hit a roadblock with the traditional route. Practices like naturopathy, ayurveda, yoga and meditation honour the power of our self-repair mechanisms. This rests in the belief that our bodies have the innate knowledge and desire to heal, produce energy, and regenerate.
The mind-body connection is key to our health, and holds the answers to healing when we hit a roadblock with the traditional route.
The science
It is important to learn about the key aspect of the mind-body connection: the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis. This is the physiological stress response system that is also commonly known as the fight or flight response. This can feel like endless worry, uncontrollable thoughts and negative chatter in the brain. Being under prolonged stress can not only ruin your day, but have long term effects on your health by sending you into adrenal overdrive ie. a hormonal imbalance where your adrenal glands are working overtime and releasing lots of the stress hormone cortisol into your bloodstream. This is why stress management is such an important part of healing and balancing hormones, besides soothing anxiety alone.
Being under prolonged stress can not only ruin your day, but have long term effects on your health by sending you into adrenal overdrive ie. a hormonal imbalance where your adrenal glands are working overtime and releasing lots of the stress hormone cortisol into your bloodstream.
And how do we break it? With a relaxation response that eases the mind, muscles and even pain. In short: learning to be in the present is the best way to get out of a rut.
Healing
So how do we harness this power? Through simple daily practices that help us reduce stress and make way for healing.
1. Attention on the self: This is practiced through meditation, breathwork, reflection or journaling. Anything that helps you tune into your own thoughts, ideally time spent alone.
2. Transforming negative thoughts into positive energy: This is how you put your faith in your body's ability to heal, letting it take over. Every time you catch yourself thinking negatively about your body, change the narrative and feel the difference.
3. Internal environment makes a difference: To get yourself out of a rut, tune into your body and all the sensations it is feeling. Then practice some focused breathwork and self-soothing practices like affirmations.
Every time you catch yourself thinking negatively about your body, change the narrative and feel the difference.
Gut love
Our gut is the home of many hormones, and is in turn impacted by them too. That's why we often feel that familiar stomach twitch during a nervous event or thought. One of our favourite ways to show our gut some love is with probiotic-rich kombucha that soothes the mind and body.
Explore our many flavours today.
