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:
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.