MIND BODY CONNECTION

- Advances in identifying the biological mechanism of mind- body communication confirm that
the mind can affect health in powerful ways.

A classic method for using the mind to alter bodily function is

- Biofeedback- using a electronic device to “ feed back” information about the activity of a
particular region of the body to alter that activity.

THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

- Major way by which the mind and body communicate is through the autonomic nervous system
(ANS).

BODY PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES SUCH AS

- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Incontinence

QUIETING THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

- It is possible to counteract ANS mediates arousal by putting 20 to 30 minutes or more of quit

time in your life each day.

Two methods with a body of research to support their effectiveness are;

Relaxation response – is an automatic physiological response that is the opposite of autonomic

nervous system activation.

Methods that elicit the relaxation response share these features:

- A quiet environment
- A focusing of the mind’s attention, such as silently repeating a word or phrase, or focusing one’s
breathing
- A passive, accepting mental state
- A comfortable physical position

Autogenic Training- uses autosuggestion to establish a balance between the mind and body through
changes in the autonomic nervous system

Six basic autosuggestions are as follows;

 - My arms and legs are heavy
- My arms and legs are warm
- My heartbeat is calm and regular
- My lungs breathe for me
- My abdomen is warm
- My forehead is cool

HORMONES

- Notify the body changes outside and inside the body must be responded to in order to maintain
health.

THE MIND CAN CREATE ILLNESS OR WELLNESS

- The thoughts and feelings can alter physiological processes meansthat individuals have the
power to influence their health for ill or for well being.

Psychosomatic illness

- The power of the mind cause illness is borne out by a long list of psychosomatic illness.
- Psychosomatic means that thoughts and feelings are at the root of the physiological
abnormalities causing the symptoms.

Somatization Disorders

- Refers to the occurrence of physical symptoms without the presence of medically detectable
injury or disease.

The mind can create wellness

- The power of the mind to create wellness is illustrated by studies that show that positive
emotions are associated with healthful biological changes.
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