Resourcing body + mind for the tough stuff (and for everyday wellbeing, too)
I think it’s safe to say that one of the reasons yoga has been trending at a rapid-fire rate over the last ~20 years is because it’s helped a generation of overstimulated, overworked humans learn to center, calm, and soothe themselves by way of the body.
And the bonus is—thanks to the popularity of yoga and various forms of mindful movement (although much of it has been around for centuries)—we’ve become more curious about the tools that help regulate the body by way of the mind, too.
These tools and practices have been incredibly transformative in my own life, and it’s always inspiring to see how they’ve impacted the lives of students, clients, family, friends—and strangers, by way of the internet.
It’s also comforting to know that when stress (et al.) pops up in the body or the mind, we can turn to:
Physical tools and practices, when the body feels like it’s in a state of stress or dis-ease—which can be further tailored based on specific symptoms and individual needs.
Mental / emotional / mindset tools and practices, when we’re caught in a distressing thought-loop—which can be further supported by a professional if and when needed.
For what it’s worth, here are a few anecdotes and tools for your mind-body wellbeing tool belt—for whenever you need support with regulating the body and/or the mind.
The thoughts respond to the body
Whenever something feels challenging physically—whether a workout, a yoga pose, a flight of steep stairs, or holding a baby for hours on end (mothers are the real heroes)—our mindset might start to dip and spiral, too.
When I first learned to hold a headstand for over 2 minutes in Nikki’s Iyengar yoga class for teachers, my thoughts would include—but were not limited to:
This is literally impossible. My neck is surely breaking. I never want to do this ever again. HOW DO PEOPLE MAKE THIS LOOK SO EASY???
(I’m not saying everyone has to learn how to stand on their head for 2+ minutes—although I can attest that it’s a very enlightening experience—but maybe you’ve been in difficult physical situations where similar thought spirals have swarmed you…)
So whenever circumstances are safe in reality but our body feels otherwise, we can teach ourselves to catch the thoughts before they overwhelm the body further.
We can then practice choosing to shift, steady, or simply observe the thoughts as if we were observing an animal at the zoo (we are all animals to some degree, anyway).
Easier said than done, I know! But it’s worth it. It can change not only one experience, but the trajectory of how our mindset and mental health unfolds in the aftermath.
Remember the brain is plastic, so why not aim to train it to support and uplift us?
Mindset tools to calm the body
- Meditation. Especially themes like compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, or metta/lovingkindness. Even general awareness practices can be grounding.
- Journaling. Many prompts to explore—Journal Speak by Nicole Sachs is powerful and deep; a few of my friends love and swear by The Artist’s Way.
- Gratitude. Sometimes I write it down; sometimes I say it out loud or meditate on it; sometimes I like to share it as part of a group or with another.
- Hypnosis. The Silva method has been really interesting for me; I’ve heard transformative stories from those who’ve experienced Allen Carr’s approach.
- Parts Work. I’ve dabbled—it’s illuminating and can help with understanding your patterns, including how to navigate moments when one “part” is on overdrive.
- Remove external stimuli. Step away from screens; sit in silence (or soothing music) or boredom. It might not feel calming at first, but after a while it’s a relief.
The body responds to the thoughts
Whenever something feels challenging mentally or emotionally—whether an uncomfortable conversation, a rough day at work, or a bout of financial uncertainty—the body will most likely respond.
For a few months, I was in emotional distress about a particular situation, and around the same time I began experiencing some gnarly symptoms like intense nausea and a bit of light (yet weird) involuntary convulsing. Concerning and uncomfortable.
It took me a while to put the puzzle pieces together, but with help from both a doctor and holistic practitioner, I realized that they were connected—my body was having panic episodes following every internal meltdown I had about this particular issue.
Once I made that connection, I figured out how to use my body to soften the spiral of my thoughts. I committed to 5 minutes of belly breathing every day, and I leaned in to restorative yoga more than I ever had (legs up the wall is a real winner!).
So whenever physical circumstances are safe in reality but the mind feels otherwise, we can teach ourselves to utilize the body before the mind is overwhelmed further.
Practices like restorative yoga poses, taking a warm bath, or breathwork can help us calm an anxious mind. This can be amplified when paired with mindset tools.
Physical practices to calm the mind
- Movement or postures. Sometimes it’s dynamic yoga or restorative yoga setups; sometimes it’s dance, a workout, a swim, or a refreshing walk.
- Shaking. Literally shake your sh!t out. Vibration plates exist now for a reason.
- Breathwork. After some conscious experimenting you can discover what works for you. Don’t fuff around with or underestimate this one—it’s powerful stuff.
- Humming and singing. Even playing an instrument can feel so soothing.
- Water / Nature. Take a warm bath, do a cold plunge if it’s your jam, or submerge in a natural body of water. Enjoy a walk outside, too—hug a tree; breathe fresh air.
- Sleep! Mindset tools and other physical practices can support sleep if it’s not coming easily, but wow what a difference a night of restful sleep makes.
Onward
This is a nuanced topic that can be narrowed down and personalized based on specific scenarios and circumstances—probably true for most habits worth exploring…
But from my experience—especially as a recovering anxious perfectionist—learning to understand and respond to ourselves in this way can be truly life-changing.
How do you take care of your body and mind when things get stressful? What works?
If your looking for more personalized support, book a free 20-minute assessment call—together we can cultivate your own unique mind-body wellbeing toolkit.
Take good care,
S
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