Do you ever suffer from worried, fearful, or racing thoughts? Stephen Peters, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Keystone Behavioral Health in Chambersburg, 
shares information on one form of therapy used to keep thoughts under control.
WHAT IS MIND-BODY MEDICINE?
Mind-body medicine is using the power of thoughts and emotions to influence emotional and physical health. This area of treatment gives its users two powerful skills: learning to concentrate on their bodies in order to control the physical reactions to stress, and controlling where their minds go when their minds want to race towards depressing or anxious thoughts. When practiced correctly, it can control the release of negative emotions and damaging stress hormones, and promote attention to positive thinking and the production of beneficial chemicals.
WHAT IS THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION?
If a person sits quietly and thinks about taking a bite out of a juicy lemon, almost all people will salivate even though there is no lemon present. Simply the idea is enough to produce a physical reaction. This is a mind-body reaction in its simplest form, and proof of the connection itself. Negative emotions can cause physical harm as damaging chemicals course through the body, while meditation can cause good chemicals to be released.
WHO SHOULD USE MIND-BODY MEDICINE?
Any person can benefit from it, whether the need is apparent or not. People who tend to worry, get anxious, get angry, or feel overwhelmed may find it especially helpful. It can be used to help combat bad habits as well.
HOW IS IT PRACTICED?
Mind-Body medicine describes a lifestyle as well as a therapeutic intervention. It should be practiced daily, along with a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
To begin, a person could sit quietly in a place with few distractions and concentrate on muscle groups throughout the body, relaxing each muscle group and releasing any tension that may exist. For example, a person should first focus on their facial muscles, then their neck muscles, etc. If a person learns to control how their body reacts to stress, they will gain calmness and clarity of thought; anxiety and anger cannot exist in a truly relaxed body. Yoga, meditation, and other relaxing activities can also be used as forms of mind-body medicine. For more information on the subject, read university and medical research articles, or consult a mental health professional.
This article contains general information only and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or care by a qualified health care provider.
