Prime your mind

Mind => Body Connection

There is a very strong mind-body connection.  Most of us have experienced it in our lives.  Some of us have learned how to tap into that connection to provide us with an opportunity to use our mind to improve our physical performance.  The rituals that many athletes have are actually mental activities that can help put them into an optimal physical condition for peak performance.  Some have called this "getting into the zone".  

We have all seen these types of rituals.  Making the sign of the cross, looking up to the sky, kissing a ring and other rituals don't make a difference in your ability to make that free throw in basketball.  But the act of doing the ritual can put you into a mindset where your brain is "primed" to take you to a mental place where you have previously had peak physical experience. You recreate a prior experience where physically you were at a high level of performance.  It can help you optimize your ability to again achieve that level of physical success. And THAT aspect could result in better performance - i.e. making that basket! 

We have all probably experience the connection where our mindset influences our physical performance.  Do you think that a sad or depressed runner can out-run a happy runner?  Even one who is maybe even a lesser athlete?  Perhaps, but certainly a great mental attitude will boost our physical ability.  

Body => Mind Connection

But not all of us have realized that this mind-body connection can also work in the other way.  Our physical activities can influence the way we think.  Even though you may not have realize it...you have probably experienced it.

Have you ever taken a walk and felt better?

How about dancing?  How have you felt after that?

Held a sleeping baby?  Did that make you feel more calm?  How about a crying or squirming baby? Didn't that make you mentally uneasy?  

The more you actively look at these connections, the clearer it will be to you that there is a tight mind-body connection, and that connection is in BOTH directions.

Try this...

Try this exercise.  You will need a computer and a new pencil. 

First, go to Google and type in "The Far Side" or "Calvin and Hobbes".  Then click "images" to get some comics on your computer (I would post them here...but I don't want to run afoul of copyright laws...).

Next, put the end of a (preferably clean, new) pencil in your mouth and purse your lips around the pencil to hold it.  It should point straight out toward the computer.  Read a 5 or 10 of the comics on your screen.  
Now...change the position of the pencil so you are holding is across your mouth so it touches your lips at the corners of your mouth. It should be parallel with your shoulders.  Hold the pencil in your mouth and then read those same 5 or 10 comics again..and just for good measure...read a few extra. 

Once you have done this...when did the comics seem funnier?  When did you laugh louder or harder?  I bet it was the second reading.  Curious why?

The Mind-Body Connection

By pursing your lips around the pencil, you are forcing your face into a frown.  A "negative" physical configuration.  When you grip the pencil in your lips sideways, you are forcing a "positive" physical position...a smile. You probably didn't realize it at the time that you were making these different facial expressions.   There isn't really anything emotionally different between the two positions, but the physical act created a  significantly different emotional response when you are frowning versus smiling. (By the way, if you had a hard time with the pencil, just re-do the exercise without the pencil but make an exaggerated frown for the first read and an exaggerated smile for the second read.)

Pretty amazing 'eh?

Now that you are aware of this connection, you are able to use it to your advantage in many areas.

• Want to feel happier?   Just force a smile.  It willI make you feel better (and it's infectious to people around you.)
• Want to chase away the blues?  Force some laughs.  With, or without the comics or comedy.  The simple act of laughing will raise your spirits.
• Want to feel more confident?  Stand tall with your shoulders back.  Sit up tall and square in a chair and see how you feel.

On the other hand.....

• If you feel negative emotions....pay attention to your physical position.  Is it hunched over?  Arms and/or legs crossed?  Looking down at the floor?  Each of those contributes to, or amplifies your negative emotion.  Change them to a more positive physical position and see how your emotions improve. 
• Feeling angry?  Again...pay attention to your physical status.  Find elements of your physical presence that are unique to being angry and replace them with a different positioning - one that is more calming, and see what that does to your mental attitude.

It's up to you...

By learning this ThoughtCrafting Tool, you can monitor the connection between your physical and mental selves.  Need to get a boost in mental acuity?  Move your body and energize your mind.  Need to calm your mind?  Put your body in a restful position.  

Take ACTIVE CONTROL over your physical and mental states and coordinate them for creating the OPTIMAL YOU. 

Join the discussions on the ThoughtCrafting Facebook Group!
www.facebook.com/groups/ThoughtCrafting/
We look forward to seeing you there!