03 Mar Mindfulness and your physical self
The benefits
Mindfulness improves endurance, reduces physical pain, reduces blood pressure, improves sleep, and improves other physical conditions like psoriasis and fibromyalgia.(Wondering what those are? Say them ten times fast and then google them – bottom line, you don’t want them.)
The mind body connection
When you work on your mind – your thoughts, that constant chatter! – you improve the body.
Your conscious mind is approximately 5% of your brain activity. These are your thoughts about the past, present and future of which you are AWARE. When you think, I’m going to miss this penalty kick, your conscious mind is driving that thought.
Your subconscious mind is 95% of your brain activity and includes all the activity outside of your awareness, like the beating or your heart, your response to a smell and the steps you take to walk to the bathroom. They all happen without much conscious thought. However, your conscious mind does impact and direct your subconscious. You think you might miss the penalty kick? Well, then Ok, the subconscious mind, because it deals with the here and now, will respond with missing the penalty kick. What your conscious mind thinks, you subconscious mind delivers.
Now you can see why your thoughts are so powerful. And those thoughts directly impact your physical self. Feeling super angry? Do you feel your heart race? Your blood pump through your veins? That’s your physical body responding to your thoughts and feelings. Have to make a speech in class and feel like you are going to throw up? That is your physical body responding to your thoughts and feelings. See your crush walking down the hallway and suddenly your cheeks feel hot and you start to shake a bit? Say, “Hello subconscious mind at work.” Your subconscious mind has responded to all the thoughts you have had about these situations. This is why making sure that our thoughts are positive and beneficial to us is so important, because our bodies will be impacted. Over the long term, less stress and more positive thoughts help our bodies to stay healthy.
So, become aware of your thoughts. Make them beneficial and your body will thank you!
WLKHS2210
Posted at 17:20h, 28 FebruaryOne time my body reacted to a situation was when I had a big exam. I was very stressed out and my heart raced and my mind was filled with lots of negative thoughts. I felt very nervous and scared and stressed out, but after I took the test I felt a bit better and less stressed.
WLKHS2205
Posted at 17:19h, 28 FebruaryMy body often reacts subconsciously when I am playing sports or running. Because I have done these things so many times, my mind and body react on their own. I honestly feel happy when this happens because my body is responding in the way i want it to even though I didn’t consciously think to do it.
wlkhs2203
Posted at 17:19h, 28 FebruaryWhen I was really annoyed at my parents, I would just go upstairs and slam my door. I thought they didn’t understand what I was going through about school, friends, etc… I felt like I had no one to go to. No one to communicate with.No one to understand my issues my thoughts my feelings.
WLKHS2217
Posted at 17:17h, 28 FebruaryThe first time I went for a long period of time without sleep my body broke down and I felt horrible. I realized how important sleep really is.
WLKHS2204
Posted at 17:16h, 28 FebruaryAnytime I say something I know is rude but I think it’s funny out loud I feel my face become red. I feel embarrassed even if I don’t get in trouble.
wlkhs 2212
Posted at 17:15h, 28 FebruaryI was very mad and I punched my little brother. I instantly felt regret when he started crying.
wlkhs2220
Posted at 17:10h, 28 FebruaryWhen I dance, sometimes I feel as if I cannot do the moves. My brain reacts by watching the other girls in the mirror and my brain tells me i’m going to potentially mess up. I try to watch myself and pay more attention to the teacher so I don’t think that way, but it’s hard.