The idea that mental health and physical health are intricately related is not new. Some of the oldest medical practices, such as Ayurvedic Medicine and acupuncture, use the mind-body connection as a foundation for healing. Today, advanced disciplines such as psychoneuroimmunology and health psychology understand that many factors – including psychological and behavioral factors – contribute to physical health and illness.

A Quick Example

When you’re sick with the flu, you’re probably not feeling happy and cheerful. That’s a simple way of explaining how physical health can impact mental health. Similarly, when we’re depressed or filled with anxiety, it can be more difficult to take care of our body’s physical requirements such as adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and plenty of water, and can even change our body’s response to chronic illness or pain. Make sense? Now, let’s look at the mind-body connection and its effect on recovery. 

What is the Mind-Body Connection?

Quite simply, the mind-body connection is the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs can impact our physical bodies and biological functioning. If we constantly feed ourselves the negative belief that we’re never going to get better, we’re less likely to feel better. Our thoughts are powerful and they can impact our physical health. Likewise, our physical health can have a direct impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. When you’re taking care of your body, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, practicing sleep hygiene, and exercising regularly, you’re likely to be in a better mood. For a person with a substance use disorder, their medical history, their current life stressors, the type of drugs they used, and other co-occurring conditions can all have an impact on their personal path to healing. In short, treatment plans that honor the mind-body connection are critical to innovative care.

Multidisciplinary Treatment and Recovery

When we think about the mind and body as one thing, we’re talking about “holistic health” or the idea of treating the entire person as one system rather than many. In recovery, it’s important to remember that how we treat our minds and bodies has a larger implication for our healing journey. As such, co-occurring disorder treatment must incorporate multiple disciplines. This means that innovative treatment options will rely not only on therapists, but medical doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, recovery advocates, and wellness coordinators. This ensures a highly personalized approach to recovery that leaves no stone unturned.

When a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to wellness is applied, people can and do recover. 

Origins Behavioral Healthcare is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1296