Mind-body treatments

How are the body and the mind linked? How do our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings affect our health and well-being? This mystery has many scientists and doctors curious. Studies are being done, but even without knowing the science, we can feel the link ourselves.

The term stress refers not only to what happens to us, but also how we respond to those stressors. Both contribute to well-being or illness. With mind-body training, you can learn to help change your breathing and heart rate, blood pressure, brain wave patterns, and muscle control. These basic functions relate to all of your body systems, even your immune system.

With mind-body treatments, you can train your body to stay calm during stress. Those who use mind-body approaches say they have more energy, sleep better, feel less anxious and depressed, or just feel more physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. With practice, some people get relief from chronic pain, better manage blood glucose levels, and have fewer stress-related symptoms.

Mind-body treatments we will cover include:

• Music – Invoke mood through music choices
• Meditation – Focusing on the breath or a repeated sound
• Guided imagery – Using the imagination to help heal
• Yoga – Poses that strengthen the body and calm the mind