Our brains and bodies are linked in a feedback cycle. Arousal (distress) in the brain will send signals to our bodies to get ready for ‘fight, flight, freeze or fawn’. Chronic mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can lead to chronic stress and tension in the body. This can result in disturbances in sleep, digestion, pain and exhaustion.
Disturbances in the body due to factors such as chronic health conditions, inflammation, nutritional needs and exhaustion can also lead to mental health conditions through complex physical processes including inflammation markers crossing the blood brain barrier.
Learning to relax and soothe your body can help you calm your mind. Processing trauma and treating anxiety or depression can reduce physical symptoms.
Practices such as mindfulness, meditation and breathing exercises can be ways to calm the body, as can dance, massage, and cuddles with loved ones.