What is the Mind-Body-Soul Connection?

The mind-body-soul connection is also known as the mind-body connection, and it is a theory that states that thoughts, feelings, and beliefs can influence our biology for better or worse.

In other words, thoughts and emotions can affect our overall health and visa versa. The link between mind, body, and soul has been around for thousands of years and has been heavily researched by scientists to back up claims.

Before the 17th century, wellness experts saw the body as a whole system with interconnected parts, but during the 1700s, Western medical practitioners started to focus research on the treatment of symptoms and began to view the mind and body as two separate entities. As a result, modern day medical treatment options are based on the belief that the body is like a machine with independent parts that can be treated individually.

But, this modern-day approach is not compatible with what many psychological studies and holistic research has concluded: the brain, the peripheral nervous system, the immune system, and every other organ and biological system share a chemical language that never stops communicating information. Everything is connected.

Everything is connected.

Is the mind-body-soul connection real?

Yes. Research has proven that the human body has three distinct networks that connect to each other: the head, the gut, and the heart. Often called The Three Brains, each of these core processing systems and organs control our physical health, thoughts, and feelings.

Examples of the mind-body-soul connection:

An easy way to explain the mind-body-soul connection is to consider stress, anxiety, and depression. All three of those ailments are considered “mental” health issues and are treated by clinical psychologists.

However, each health issue manifests “physical” side effects:

• The emotion of stress is processed through the body’s adrenal system which produces Cortisol.

• Anxiety can make someone's hair stand up on end, or cause their heart to race as the brain’s amygdala instructs the body’s nervous system to activate fight or flight mode.

• The symptoms of depression include weight loss/gain, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, and a slew of other body-related ailments.

Think of it like this:

Positive relationship connections (soul) can make you feel and think happy thoughts (mind) which not only decreases the production of stress hormones but causes a rush of happy hormones; such as serotonin, which promote healthy digestion and regular cardiac rhythm (body).

Stress at work (mind) can impact your digestion, heart rate, weight gain, and sleep patterns (body) which can leave you short tempered, exhausted, and too overwhelmed to experience positive interactions with loved ones (soul).

If you become sick with the flu (body), then you will be in bed feeling incapable of enjoying the positive emotions you might otherwise be feeling if you were healthy (mind), and you will be forced to miss out on the joy and fulfillment of special events and social interactions (soul). 

The bottom line:

If you are a high-achieving individual responsible for managing many responsibilities both in your career and/or within your home, then investing in your body-mind-soul connection can help you avoid burnout.

Taking time to invest in healthy relationships and prioritize practices such as yoga, meditation, exercise, and healthy eating habits can keep you functioning well, feeling positive, and living your best life.

—Jada Butler