The mind-body dichotomy has baffled philosophers since time immemorial. Humans have long grappled with the question of whether the mind is simply a manifestation of the physical constructs of our brains, or something much more ephemeral and universal. Truth be told, these questions are still far from being fully resolved, but according to the most sophisticated understanding of neuroscience at present, there are physiological bases for everything that goes on in our minds, from the most primitive cravings to the most transcendental ideas.
One of the most profound realizations of the last fifty years is just how intricately connected the mind and body are. The euphoric feeling of elation after a really intense run or workout, known as the 'runner's high' and caused by an increased supply of dopamine, is a great example of how physical exertion affects the mind. Likewise, after some breathing exercises or meditation, your performance on a physical task can improve significantly. It has been proven, over and over again, that visualization exercises help boost performance in sports, a decidedly physical activity.
An ancient Kurdish proverb gets this right. “The root of all health is in the brain. Its trunk is in the spirit. The branches and leaves are the body. The flower of health blooms when all the parts work together.” In fact, almost all ancient healing practices, including yoga, were truly holistic in the sense that they treated the mind and body not as separate entities but as a whole.
Another very important example of the mind-body connection is how gut health affects the brain. Every time you overeat or snack on junk food, you probably feel sluggish and even mildly depressed. Our gut has been dubbed the ‘second brain’ because it controls many powerful neurotransmitters that affect how the brain feels and performs.
When looking at your health, it's very important to know that you can no longer separate mind from body, or vice versa, and that in order to improve the health of either, you need to address both. Our bodies parts and minds are too complex to be considered separate entities, and recognizing this connection is extremely important in the pursuit of health.
