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Guess what… Your emotions affect your physical health, too. We’re always hearing about the importance of exercise and looking after our physical health in order to support our mental health… But guess what? It works in reverse too! Your mental and emotional health plays a significant role in your physical health too… Here’s how!
The link between your mind and body is so strong. The proof is in the pudding… Have you ever felt super nervous, so much so that you felt butterflies in your belly? Have you ever received bad news, and felt a pit in your stomach? Or have you been so elated, your heart starts racing in excitement and anticipation?
These are all evidence of the strong link between mind and body. But it goes even deeper than this…
Your emotions not only cause these physical responses in your body, they can also lead to changes in your hormones and other bodily functions. For example, when you’re feeling super stressed or anxious, your body will produce more of your stress hormone, cortisol. As a result, your body enters “fight or flight” mode, tending to store fat around your middle, pause digestion, and dedicate your energy to preparing you to deal with an overwhelming situation. Over time, chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can lead to health problems such as a weakened immune system, poor sleep, and other issues. Not fun...
On the other hand, if you’re feeling really happy and fulfilled, your body will produce more dopamine and serotonin - happy hormones and chemicals. As a result of increased serotonin, you’ll experience mood stability, feelings of wellbeing, improved communication within your brain and entire body, and even better sleep and digestion! Meanwhile, dopamine will enhance your feelings of pleasure, and also improve your ability to learn and remember information, and contributes to better sleep, digestion and even motor system function.
It’s pretty crazy how your emotional state can influence your physical health to such a significant degree! But this just makes it all the more important to nurture that mind-body connection.
The key to improving your physical and mental health simultaneously is to introduce activities and practises that nourish both your body and mind at once. An excellent example of this is, you guessed it, exercise!
Certain forms of movement, in particular, are an excellent way to strengthen the connection between mind and body - we’re looking at you yoga and Pilates! These movement forms not only promote the production of “happy” hormones and neurotransmitters, improving your mood, sleep, digestion and overall function, but they also help you de-stress, supporting a calm internal environment. Double winning.
And a top tip: when you’re practising Pilates or yoga next, pay special attention to the mind-body connection each time you contract a muscle or perform a movement pattern. By tuning into the mind-muscle connection, you can actually improve your performance and results from your workouts! Think about it… If you consciously activate each muscle required in a movement, you’re getting a lot more out of each squat, lunge and curtsey than if you just let everything hang loosely and perform movements half-heartedly. By consciously thinking about which muscles you’re working, and actively recruiting them, you’ll see better form, technique and results in no time! You’re welcome… Even more reason to nurture that mind-body connection!
The mind-body connection is a systematic, holistic approach to helping you be the best, happiest version of yourself by nurturing both physical and mental health at once. So to help you do so, here are some of our top tips:
The chicken and the egg approach. When it comes to the mind-body connection, both are equally as important as the other. If this means you need to skip a workout one day in order to support your mental health, that’s okay! And equally, if it means adding in an extra sweaty session to work out any stress, that’s also fantastic! Be sure to check in with yourself on both a mental and physical level to determine what you need each day to support the needs of both your body and your mind.
Do things you know will make you feel confident and strong. Whether this means getting yourself a new workout wardrobe so you feel the part when you strut into the gym, or spending time repeating positive affirmations to yourself about how capable and wonderful you are, set aside time each day to dedicate to things that make you feel FAB!
Remember you are worthy. You deserve to feel fantastic, both mentally and physically. Remove the pressures and expectations of society, your loved ones, and yourself, and surrender. Allow yourself to reconnect with your mind and body, and rediscover who you are, what you enjoy, and what makes you feel like the best version of YOU! This looks different for everyone, so get creative and feel free to explore!
Practise self-care. A key part of understanding that you are worthy is doing things to reaffirm this to yourself. Self-care is a great way to demonstrate that you’re worthy of care and effort. Whether this involves having a relaxing bath, taking a walk in nature, spending time with loved ones, or a night of Netflix, take time out for YOU! You deserve it.
If you’re searching for ideas to make you feel worthy and confident, look no further! Our friends at THE ICONIC have come up with their top workout wardrobe must-haves to make you feel confident every time you enter the gym and get ready to work it!
Remember, if you feel great mentally, you’ll experience benefits in your mind and body - on and off the mat!
Enter code GLRAF3F83A at check out to get a massive $25 off when you spend $99 or more!*
NIMBLE ACTIVEWEAR - High Rise 7/8 Leggings II -
Exclusive to THE ICONIC, these high rise leggings tuck you in in all the right places! They’re super comfortable and guarantee to make you feel fab in your own body, so you can smash your next workout!
Your must-have yoga accessory! The premium material ensures you can charge at each yoga or Pilates session feeling luxurious and fancy, and perform poses in style!
We love the enhanced grip these open toe socks offer, so you can feel stable and assured when you hit those complex postures next time you’re flowing
The Upside Tortoise Dance Spin Shorts -
These super cute spin shorts are perfect for going from the gym to a coffee date in style - because coffee is also good for the soul and body! You don’t need to tell us twice to nurture our mind and body with a workout and some caffeine!
COTTON ON BODY ACTIVE - The Tank -
The MVP you’ve been missing from your workout wardrobe! This flattering tank is sure to leave you feeling confident and ready for anything! Our top tip: invest in multiple colours, so you can match your tank to your mood! Thank us later...
Time to nourish your body and your mind, fit fam! We can’t wait to see you in the club to put these tips into practice, and experience the benefits to both your physical and mental health at once. Double winning!
*Valid until 28.02.2022 at 11:59 pm. Minimum spend $99. One use only. Apply unique code at checkout. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, voucher code or sale items. Full priced items only. Prices are in AUD. Not applicable on THE ICONIC OUTLET. Brand exclusions include items sent separately from a partner brand and Poppy Lissiman, Bras N Things, Oroton, Michael Kors, Stussy, Rag & Bone, Assembly Label, Camilla, P.E Nation, C&M, CAMILLA AND MARC, Common Projects, Veja, Coach, By Charlotte, Lorna Murray, Missoma, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nudie Jeans, RM Williams, Montblanc, Garmin, Samsung, Beats by Dre, Fitbit, Camilla Kids, RipCurl, Mini Rodini, Decjuba Kids, Dyson, Aesop, L'Occitane, The Ordinary, GHD, YSL, Giorgio Armani, Lancome, Cloud Nine, In Bed & Assouline. Conditions apply: www.theiconic.com.au/terms-of-use/#voucher
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