The Mind-Body Connection

The Mind-Body Connection

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

While packing up the Centre, I came across a flip-chart with posters from a seminar given many years ago here.  As I read it over, I had to smile; some things never change, and here was proof! This seminar could have been delivered during the covid lockdowns or more recently due to stress over rising inflation.  Yet the effects upon humans remain the same.  Let me explain ….

The seminar explained, in general terms, how the mind-brain-body connection worked. And by understanding this process, it helps to better understand how our responses and reactions to life are influenced.

Here are the main players in the game:

THE MIND
  •  Non-physical in nature 
  • Where thoughts, feelings, instincts and imagination exist
  • Positive thoughts = Positive Mind = Positive Experience
  • Sometimes called the Unconscious Mind 
  • Jungian theorists say the Collective Consciousness resides here
THE BRAIN
  • Both physical and chemical in nature
  • Physical structures (eg. brain tissue, neurons)
  • Chemical structures (eg. neurotransmitters, hormones)
  • Brain processes AND feels what the Mind puts out
  • Limbic system connects many parts of the brain and is responsible for bringing forth memories, emotions, primal urges, creativity
  • Brain has two main branches: Central Nervous System (CNS) and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) which process AND feel what the Mind puts out
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)
  • Consists of the Brain itself and the Spinal Cord
  • CNS takes the thoughts and feelings from the Mind and PROCESSES them – makes them Conscious; analyses them
  • CNS decides to react or hold on to these thoughts and feelings; can store these for many years – and sometimes bury them away from consciousness to be dealt with at another time, or not at all
  • Can be under or over stimulated
  • Under-stimulated is coma state; no functioning is called death
  • Over-stimulated is panic level anxiety; if left unchecked, can lead to physical / emotional exhaustion and death
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
  • Has two branches: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS)
  • Sympathetic NS is where our Fight, Flight or Fright reactions begin; the proverbial Adrenaline Rush
  • Parasympathetic NS is where our Relaxation and Calmness begin; the proverbial Vacation Mode
  • The ANS takes all thoughts and feelings from the Mind and FEELS them – in our body and its functions
  • So, where the Mind goes, the Body follows

HORMONES

  • Both the CNS and ANS influence release of hormones based upon the processing and feeling of what the Mind has put out
  • The Endocrine system is that which produces and regulates the release of hormones in the body to create physical and emotional effects
  • Connection between the Brain and the Endocrine system is possible because of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands which are situated in the physical Brain but function as keys to the Endocrine system and its functions (ie. neuroendocrine)
  • Once the Brain has processed what the Mind has put out, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands go to work to tell the Endocrine system to release or inhibit the hormones
  • There are some exceptions to this process – some hormones are regulated in a different manner than this.

So just what does this Mind ~ Brain ~ Endocrine ~ Body actually mean in real life?  Basically, your Mind can be filled with all sorts of thoughts, feelings, memories urges and creative ideas.  Getting your Brain to pick up on these things requires taking quiet time so you can hear/see/feel/intuit what is coming your way. A busy Brain hasn’t got the time or interest in being still in the moment, so the Mind cannot find a way to connect. For example, take the Monkey Mind ….

People with “Monkey Mind” are those who are so busy thinking in their heads, distractible, impatient and restless that the real Mind has no way to come through.  This state of being increases the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) so that the Fight, Flight, Fright response takes over. Adrenaline pumps through the body, placing it on Alert and Alarm. Heart pumps faster, blood pressure goes up, digestion can get tricky, bowel issues might start up and sleep is not as good as you’d like. This heightened state of arousal is sustainable for the short term, but if this is how someone functions for weeks or months (or years), then the body will wear down.  Physical illness is likely, as is emotional exhaustion. People weren’t designed to be “on-call” 24/7.

Now take a look at what happens when we allow a moment for quiet time.  Imagine walking on a beach or in a forest or just sitting in a lovely garden. Phones turned off, no music or work noises around.  In this place, you will find yourself starting to relax, breathing more deeply and slowly and starting to notice what is all around you. As you let yourself be soothed by the surroundings, you may discover that you begin to have thoughts, sensations, feelings that have alluded you lately.  Maybe you figure out a solution to a problem that has been plaguing you.  Maybe you retrace your steps and remember where you put those important documents that you’ve been searching for all week.  Maybe you remember an old friend or family member that you wish you could see again.  The Mind has had all these things to send you, but until this quiet moment, it had no way to get your attention and “download” to you. This is a time when the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) is in charge.  Lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, deep breathing, growling stomach able to digest food and healthy bowel function to move it through.  Sleep is restorative which helps us to be more resilient during the day.

No time for a break?  How about stealing a few minutes to yourself and just imagine the walk or the garden or wherever your Happy Place is? A short cleansing/calming visualization done during your morning shower or evening bath can feel wonderful.  Even a 10-minute nap any time of day will help to reset the Stress Meter a wee bit and help with the Mind’s “download”.

There is a lot of potential and power in allowing the Mind its say.  Anything you can do to help yourself be receptive to your Mind and its knowledge will be beneficial to your Brain and Body.  Try it for a week and feel it for yourself.

Here’s The Story

Here’s The Story

by | Life Reflections, Psycho-Spiritual

It was February 1995.  The Friday found me leave a nursing faculty meeting to attend a weekend workshop on Healing Touch energy healing. By the end of the weekend, I felt inspired to become a holistic therapist. But how was I to quit my “day job” for something so unconventional? Upon returning home that Sunday, I asked my husband, Mel, what he thought I should do.  His wise counsel was, “Follow your Heart.”  So, on Monday, I tendered my resignation from the College! And that’s how this whole adventure called Natural Comfort started.

My aromatherapy business was small but slowly grew into a larger affair.  In 2005, with help from family and friends, I started the Natural Comfort Wellness Centre.  Going from a one-person aromatherapy business to full-time office staff, a retail store and several consulting holistic therapists was a huge leap – but a very exciting one. I must acknowledge the steady support and expertise that Beverley Hawkins offered in those early years- computer literate, business savvy and so organized! She was there from the beginning to help with setting up and running the Centre. Those of you who were around for those first few years know that we had some very interesting guest speakers, courses and events, a large retail store and a choice of many different therapists offering their health and healing talents. There were some challenges met along the way, but all offered great life and business lessons. As I’ve often said, “It’s all information – how we choose to look at it and use it is always up to us.”  And so, after five years at the first location, we began the search for another suitable place to hang our shingle.

As the Universe would have it, our local Hospice was moving from its office space in the Tsawwassen Medical Building to its newly built location in Ladner. In Spring 2010, I signed the lease and began our move. Not only was this location ideal, but we met a most unique person who just happened to be the landlord!  You can tell when someone is really there for you. Greg definitely has been there for both me and the Centre through it all.  For the first three years, the other therapists and I offered courses, holistic services, practice groups and ran the retail store together at this new location.

Another pivot.  In 2013, I decided to downsize and return to private practice.  Grateful for their help and understanding, the other therapists helped me to downsize the Centre so I could manage it by myself. I was able to split the space, which also made it easier for me.  But who knew that just a few months later, the chiropractors would need a space for their practice, as their location had been destroyed in a devastating fire?  And so, it was – Tsawwassen Chiropractic and Natural Comfort became neighbours!  And have been ever since.

These past nine years have found me expanding my private practice and improving my holistic offerings.  I’ve always hoped to offer a place of Comfort, Peace and Possibilities to everyone who entered the Centre, and for the most part, I think I have achieved this.  Although I’m not ready to hang up my therapist hat just yet, I realize that it is time to make another adjustment in how I offer my services.

And so, the newest change begins!  Natural Comfort Wellness Centre now becomes Natural Comfort Wellness. Later this month, Natural Comfort Wellness will offer as many services, seminars and meditations as it can using the Zoom on-line platform.  Some services will be unavailable as a Zoom offering (haven’t figured out how to do massages through a computer screen!). Some services will be available using Zoom or the phone. Seminars, consultations and meditations are already held on Zoom. All will be offered with the same heart-centered care that has always been the guiding principle at Natural Comfort.

In closing, I am grateful to everyone who has entered the Centre these past 17 years and offered their friendship, expertise, time, stories, tears, laughter, smiles, songs, humour, prayers, healing energy and hugs. I started this healing journey as a nursing student in 1974 and an aromatherapist in 1995.  Who knew that 48 years after stepping onto a nursing unit, I’d still love what I do and who I work with?  The location is changing – but not the love I have for this work and for my clients and colleagues.

My heartfelt thanks go to the following people who have worked with me at the Centre.  You made this a great place to work! Lots of memories – lots of laughs – lots of love!

2005 – 2010:
Office staff: Wendy Marshall, Barbara Bell, Charlene Boswick
Therapists: Beverley Hawkins, Janet Walsh, Cheryl Larden, Judith Schweers, Donna Guillemin,
Ruth Stubens, Shirley Maurice, Doug Markert, Julia McKinley, Kim Jew

2010 – 2013:
Therapists: Beverley Hawkins, Cheryl Larden, Donna Guillemin, Ruth Stubens, Shirley Maurice,
Doug Markert

2013 – 2022:  Pat as a solo act at the Centre!

2022 – who knows?:  The physical Centre closes and Pat goes virtual with Zoom

And through it all, my husband Mel has been my biggest fan and supporter!  Without him, none of this would have been possible. He has believed in me and this work every step of the way. I am forever grateful to him!

Now ….  Time to Zoom!