How to tune into your body for positive mental health

It’s important to tune into your body because mental and physical health go hand in hand. Not only are they linked, but one is just as important as the other. It’s about making them work in harmony so you can feel your best in your body and your mind. But when we’re stuck in negative cycles and thought patterns, it can be difficult to snap out of it. Tuning into your body is an effective way to create space between thought patterns — so you can find clarity. Here’s how to do it. 

Quiet the mind with meditation

It may seem tedious to sit down and do nothing for a few minutes a day, but meditating for just 5-10 minutes can make a big positive difference in your mental state. And the benefits don’t end when the session does — meditation’s impact carries throughout your day. 

The benefits of meditation can include: 

  • Reduced stress and anxiety 
  • Increase self-awareness 
  • Better stress management
  • Shifting from negative thinking to neutral or positive 
  • Increased patience 
  • Increased resilience

All of these create a better mind-body relationship that helps you shift out of thinking and into feeling. If you have a tough time doing it alone, try a guided meditation app like Calm or Headspace. Not only do they make meditation easy and user-friendly, but they get you on track for creating a habit. A positive one at that. 

Get moving

This one won’t come as a surprise. Exercise is a sure-fire way to tune into your body, push past your mental blocks, and achieve new goals. Not only that, but it leads to positive changes in the brain and body: 

  • Reduced stress and anxiety 
  • A boost of endorphins that lead to better mood 
  • A more balanced appetite
  • Better sleep

These lead to a better physical and mental state — strengthening the relationship between the mind and body. It’s all about finding balance and allowing both systems to speak to each other. After all, they deserve equal attention. 

The mind-body connection in everyday life. 

It’s not just moments of exercise and meditation that help you tune into your body (though those make a big difference!). It’s also about tuning in during everyday moments to learn how things feel in the body. Get curious about what it feels like when you’re doing something you love versus doing something you have to do. Of course, we all have things we need to do that we don’t particularly enjoy — these are just a part of life. The goal isn’t to avoid discomfort and only focus on pleasure, but rather to simply notice how everyday occurrences feel in the body in order to stay mindful and anchored to the present moment. This is another effective way to strengthen the mind-body connection. Bonus: this is a great first step to learning to set boundaries. 

Tune into your body today

The mind-body relationship can make all the difference on mental health. Too much focus on our thoughts can lead to negative thinking, rumination, and over-intellectualization. Tapping into the body grounds us and puts things into perspective. Because not all difficulties can be solved in the mind — sometimes they require taking a step back and anchoring into the present moment through the body to really feel our feelings. 

Need more support? Wellin5’s team of registered clinical counsellors are experts on mindfulness and the mind-body relationship. Wellin5 will pair you with a counsellor who meets your unique needs.

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