Mental Fitness

& Physical HealthJennifer

KitchenJuly 18,2013

Connection of Mental Fitness in Physical Health

Research

Dr. Richard Davidson

› Job Strain and Emotions

Dr. Candice Pert

› Neuropeptides

Dr. Peter Schnall

› Map of the Brain

Mind/Body Approaches

to Mental Fitness

Tai Chi

Qigong

Yoga

Research on Mind/Body Connection

Davidson

– Mapped out areas of brain activation according to

• negative (right prefrontal cortex) and positive emotions (left

prefrontal cortex).

– Olympians have higher levels of activation for the left prefrontal cortex

– Mental and physical life capacity is flexible, dynamic, and expansive.

– Robust health can result from systematic training of the mind through

planned, systematic inner development.

– The far reaches of human flourishing can be explored by training our

mind

• (Dacher,P20-22)

Research on Mind/Body Connection

Pert

– Discovered message-carrying neuropeptides

– Thoughts, feelings, and visual images produce specific neuropeptides

– Neuropeptides alter our physiology to reflect a specific mental state.

• (Dacher, P17)

Research on Mind/Body Connection

Schnall

– Identified managers who suffered from “job strain” and those who

didn’t.

– In the circumstance of high demand and low control, managers who

felt overwhelmed by their role developed disturbing emotions that led

to chronic hypertension and enlarged heart.

– The unrelenting stress of negative emotions

• Causes permanent change in physiology of the body.

• (Dacher, P19)

Benefits of Mental Fitness

Mental training reduces hyperactivity of the body

helping to control;

Blood pressure

Pulse

Muscular tension

Capillary blood flow

Bowel and bladder motility

(Dacher, P83)

Benefits of Mental Fitness

Mental Fitness

Helps prevent mental distress and physical illness

Enhances recovery from disease

(Dacher, P86)

Mind/Body Connection in Exercise

› All physical activity can be beneficial to both mind and

body.

› Many people are already aware of the benefits they get

mentally when they exercise.

Exercise helps relieve stress and clear the mind.

› There are many exercises which are specifically

beneficial for both mind and body.

Mind/Body Exercise

Tai Chi

• Ancient Chinese

• Movements that originate in martial arts practice.

• Practiced for its health and relaxation benefits.

• Creates well being .

• Combats stress.

• Popular low-intensity workout around the world.

Mind/Body Exercise

Qigong

• Translated from the Chinese to mean "energy cultivation" or

"working with the life energy."

• Ancient Chinese system of postures, exercises, breathing

techniques, and meditations.

• Techniques are designed to improve and enhance the body's

qi.

Mind/Body Exercise

Bhakti Yoga

• One of six major branches of yoga.

• Represents the path of self-transcending love or complete

devotion to the divine.

• Developed in Hindu culture.

• Focuses the believer's mind and heart on the divine.

• Focus is on worship, devotion, and service to the divine.

Conclusion

Research has shown that there is a mind/body

connection.

Mental training helps to control physiological

affects.

Tai chi, Qigong, and Bhakti Yoga all work on the

mind and body.

Reference

Dacher, E.S., (2006). Integral Health: the path to human

flourishing. California: Basic Health.