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Your feelings influence your body. You know that right? Studies show that depressed people are more prone to heart diseases and other health conditions.

But why?

When people feel negative feelings, such as helplessness, their biochemistry suffers and destroys their sense of well-being. Conversely, people who are in charge of their world, understand that they can expect changes and are more psychologically resilient.

Indeed, we are wired to respond to unpleasant events with worry and fear. However, negative fantasies make the body react severely to even less stressful tasks.

Instead of being a victim of such reactions, you can learn to calm down and adjust your responses.

The question is how?

We try to answer this in our “Minding the Body, Mending the Mind” summary. Read on to find out.

Who Should Read “Minding the Body, Mending the Mind”? and Why?

“Minding the Body, Mending the Mind” focuses on the importance of the mind/body connection. The author shares her personal stories and presents examples of her patients as well.

She lists many relaxation and meditation exercises and talks about the challenges you may face while trying to include these methods in your lifestyle. We recommend this book to everyone who wants to improve their physical and mental health.

About Joan Borysenko

Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. is a psychologist and a founder of Mind/Body Health Sciences, L.L.C. She hosts Your Soul’s Compass – a radio show and is an author of many titles connected to the power of mind and body.

“Minding the Body Mending the Mind Summary”

Negative feelings elevate the danger of medical issues. Studies demonstrate that when you are adapting style is proactive and mature, rather than on anxious and disturbed; you are probably going to be healthier.

However, do not get us wrong.

The mind-body connection is incredibly complicated. You should not think that in some way or another you draw in sickness by only having the wrong thoughts.

Pain can be your body’s method for alarming you to real issues. Stress is only one of many variables “that may tip the balance towards illness.” You can control your eating regimen and behavior, notwithstanding life tossing you curveballs.

That is the reason a flexible mindset is your best protection. Concentrating on wholeness and recuperating is more beneficial than attempting to remain unbendingly in charge. Benefit from life’s difficulties by seeing worry as an opportunity and utilizing your energy to heal.

Now, one of the critical practices to calm your mind and relieve stress is meditation. Here is why:

Meditation has numerous benefits. It settles breathing patterns and eases the mind, enabling you to be even more of an impartial observer and less receptive to anxiety. It additionally encourages you to be more aware in the present moment and less impeded with worries.

Meditation can be an extraordinary “get-away” that you can carry around with you and empowers you to defeat chronic issues, such as sleeping disorders.

However, you have to be prepared, since meditation at the beginning can cause nervousness, as your mind wanders, thinking of upsetting concerns and every one of the things you have to do.

However, this is entirely normal. What should you do?

Do not fight it. Do not grade and assess yourself. On the off chance that your mind meanders, get aware that that is the case, and after that delicately direct your thoughts back to breathing.

I know what you are thinking now. There are times when your brain is so occupied and fretful, that serenity appears to be impossible to accomplish.

However, meditation can enable you to recapture serenity and ground yourself in the present moment. This uplifted awareness about what is occurring around you is called “mindfulness.” The magnificence of being mindful is that you can rehearse it anyplace, regardless of whether you are doing.

There are two ways your mind works: either it works for you, or against you. The choice is yours.

Habitual thoughts assume an essential part of feeling joyful, as do unconscious levels of thinking. Stay aware of bad habits, for example, denying change, or fixating on desires. Each’s personality can be judgmental and inclined to dread and envy.

However, remember, nothing is personal.

Rather than indiscriminately following your judgmental sense of self, endeavor to embrace the more neutral stance of being a witness. This emotional detachment can prompt enhanced psychological well-being and prosperity.

Use meditation to develop a healthy, calm state of mind and watch your life change for the better.

Key Lessons from “Minding the Body, Mending the Mind”:

1.      Surrender to What Is
2.      Avoid “Mind Traps” and Pursue Understanding
3.      Be Creative

Surrender to What Is

The stressed mind resembles a drug addict, continually looking for the next bliss fix by purchasing objects or pursuing fleeting accomplishments. Rather than doing that, find the satisfaction you have inside you at this moment. Work on concentrating on the present. If your mind starts to cause you problems, disengage and focus on your breathing.

Avoid “Mind Traps” and Pursue Understanding

Mental traps include wanting to be an authority, making your bliss dependent upon a future occasion, stressing over unlikely events, becoming involved in blame games, feeling defenseless and stuck et cetera. Conflict emerges from individuals who have fallen into mind traps. To avoid such conflicts, first change your mental attitude. Hard as it might be, concede that you do not know everything and open up your closed mind. Next, consider sincerely how your conduct added to the conflict. This is less demanding to do when you quit feeling like a victim and take the point of view of a nonpartisan eyewitness.

Be Creative

Utilize your creativity to “reframe” disturbing circumstances. Locate the silver coating in any event and focus on it. Make your unconscious work for you by supplanting negative internal messages with positive affirmations. Visualize and use waking dreams to beat fears and find greater strength.

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“Minding the Body, Mending the Mind” Quotes

“.”The paradox of control is simple. The more we try to control life, the less control we have Click To Tweet

Our Critical Review

This book could be organized better, but, overall it remains useful and thought-provoking, particularly for readers who are undergoing stressful events.