Healthy body = Healthy mind. Healthy mind = Healthy body.
Seems so simple doesn’t it? And yet keeping a balance between body and mind can be quite challenging. Bring in the third element – soul – and we find ourselves in a whole new ball game. Our mind, bodies and souls are the 3 cornerstones of our existence. One cannot exist without the other and if these are not in harmony, we find ourselves unbalanced. I like to visualize them in a circle, so that I see a rolling, continuous cycle, all interleading into each other. One will always be on the top whilst you give your time and energy to it, and then will move onto the next and the next, picking up the energy and momentum and keeping it flowing, filtering energy and positivity into each one. If positivity is what you choose.
We live in an era where stress is a huge part of our daily routines, especially now in this new world we live in. The pressure of simple daily tasks can seem unsurmountable, leaving us nowhere near a healthy mind, body, or soul, especially if the situation is the same day in and day out, with no definitive end.
Finding your balance
You can change this by completing the mind-body-soul circle. Make a concerted effort to change, starting with one of these three areas. Maybe you only need to work on one. Now is a good time to start and carry through into our lives once we go back to whatever the new normal is going to be.
Be kind to yourself. Remember that you might not get it right every day, that is not the victory. The victory is that you keep trying and don’t give up. This is a journey you will be on for the rest of your life and every small win is a win!
Mind
The mind is incredibly powerful! One has to be so careful on what you allow it to do. This all depends what you feed it. As powerful as it is, you are still in control. Unless you are consciously aware of this, it could control you. There have been thousands of case studies and theories on the power of the mind. To uncomplicate things, keep it simple. Don’t consume all your energy on negative thoughts, especially those you are not able to control. If you are consumed by something, ask yourself, “Is there anything I can do to change the situation? If not, let it go. This takes practice. When we practice noticing our thoughts and letting go, we engage in a powerful habit, leading to peace and ultimately a better-balanced life.
I am trying a new technique, which may work for you too. When I find my thoughts racing and out of control, I force my mind to envision a bright ball of energy. (This is used in Qigong Yoga) and nothing else. I imagine this to be my safe zone, my go to place, and I try and feed my mind off this positive space. You could also try a happy place – a special place in your mind that you love being in and sit there quietly. Calming your thoughts and taking back control of your mind.
Taking control of your mind one step at a time can be incredibly liberating! If you do not like what you are thinking you need to change what you are planting.
An old Chinese proverb captures the power of our thinking in shaping our lives:
- Sow a thought and reap an act
- Sow an act and reap a habit
- Sow a habit and reap a character
- Sow a character and reap a destiny
Health
Exercise for some may be hard, for others it is easy, and they can’t imagine their lives without it. They may have an advantage here, as the benefits of exercise have been proven time and time again. For those not on their side of the fence, what I am suggesting is that you start off slow, no pressure, don’t even set a target. Just experiment and find what you enjoy. Experiment with Yoga, with Pilates, with Qigong, Zumba, Barre (ballet-inspired fitness class) boxing, the list is endless, or the more traditional running, walking, swimming, or cycling. Due to health reasons I have had to stop running and focus more on strengthening. I miss the runners high but am now enjoying the feeling of being stronger and this has opened my eyes to another world connecting me to focused breathing, control, and the power of the mind, interlinking the mind, body, and soul trinity.
A good diet is essential, I’m sure you can all attest to the fact that over the past few weeks working from home has not helped the diet, this is where having a healthy mind is going to come in – willpower. We really are what we eat. We are all aware of the benefits of healthy food. Try and remember them.
Feed your soul
When I pray for my 4-year-old son, I pray for protection of his mind, body, and soul as I think of his future and what may lie ahead in all 3 of these aspects. Whoever you may or not pray to, believe, or not believe in, guard your heart and soul. Feed it to grow and prosper whatever this may mean to you. There is no one rule fits all here, only you know what your soul needs and what makes it happy. Know your worth. If you need coaching or counselling in areas where you think you need this, reach out and get the help to be the perfect version of you.
A happy version. A healthy version. The best version!