If You Want to Heal Your Body, Start Caring for Your Mind

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Welcome those messages of discomfort as information about how you might take the next step into a new day of wellness, healing, and hope.

When you're dealing with chronic illness or persistent stress, or you feel that something is just off with your mental well-being, don’t underestimate the power of your mind and how your brain drives the train of your healing.

Mindset and healing go hand-in-hand.

“Mind over matter” is…nice. It’s catchy. And while this idea doesn’t take into account socioeconomic pressures, trauma, and personal history, at its core, the basic idea of caring for your thoughts goes a long, long way in caring for your overall well-being.

When you have a willing and open mindset, it becomes possible to rewire how your brain interprets pain, your thoughts and behaviors, and your relationship with your own healing!

Brain patterns, chronic illness, and stress all work in tandem.

Chronic stress is a major player in how our brain functions. Prolonged stress can lead to structural changes in the brain, particularly in areas like the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and learning, and the amygdala, which processes emotions, especially fear and anxiety.

Changed brain patterns here often involve heightened anxiety, reduced ability to cope with stress, and even increased susceptibility to illness.

But that also means these patterns can be reversed, and new patterns can be formed in their place.

Enter neuroplasticity — the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This inherent flexibility allows the brain to adjust in response to learning, experience, and even injury or illness.

One step at a time.

Wellness, healing, and hope are on the way!

STARTING OVER TOOLKIT

Ready to press the refresh button without losing your mind? Grab the Starting Over Toolkit. It’s your no-nonsense guide to gaining clarity on what you want in this season of your life and how to actually make it happen. Think of it as a GPS for your goals - minus the traffic jams.

Get your toolkit here →

QUICK HITS

🧠 How to Rewire Your Brain for Healing

Read the full article here →

🥗 Quick-start Guide to an Anti-Inflammation Diet

Access practical tips in this article →

💥 The Relationship Between Stress and Chronic Illness

Read more →

🧬 How Neuroplasticity Works: Your Experiences Can Change How Your Brain Functions

Start learning →

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DAILY CHALLENGE

It might not be magic, but some of the results of these practices feel magical.

Today’s challenge: Choose one of the practices below (make sure it isn’t one you’re already doing!), track it for five days, and journal after each try.

That word “practice” is really important; there’s no pressure or perfection here. Just little shifts that can make all the difference!

1. Meditate or practice mindfulness. Regular mindfulness practice helps reduce stress and promotes brain plasticity. Meditation can increase the thickness of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, attention, and self-control. Start with just a few minutes a day and gradually increase your practice.

2. Practice visualization. Close your eyes and vividly imagine yourself healed and thriving. Engage all your senses in this visualization. This activates the brain's mirror neuron network, making your brain perceive the visualization as a real, lived experience, thus promoting new, healthy neural connections.

3. Try some Cognitive Behavioral Techniques. Try out some cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) exercises to challenge and reframe negative thought patterns. If they work for you, reaching out to a CBT therapist or dialectical-behavioral therapist might be a good next step for you.

4. Move your body. Exercise isn't just good for your body; it’s a powerhouse for your brain, too. If exercise is new to you, start small with something like walking, chair exercises, or swimming.

5. Learn something new. You know that new hobby you’ve always wanted to try? Give yourself permission! Learning a new language, playing a musical instrument, or even doing puzzles stimulates your brain and encourages new neural connections.

6. Try out some balanced meals. A well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and essential nutrients support brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseeds, are particularly beneficial for promoting neuroplasticity. Staying hydrated is also crucial.

7. Make social connections. Maintain and nurture your social connections. Positive social interactions stimulate the brain and can help reinforce healthy neural pathways. Attend community events, join clubs, or simply spend quality time with loved ones.

8. Go to bed early. Sleep is when your brain consolidates memories and repairs itself. Create a calming bedtime routine, avoid screens before bed, and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

9. Engage in a guided journal. Writing down your thoughts is one of the best ways to get crystal-clear on what you truly desire, and what it’s time to let go of. If you’re someone who needs a place to begin, our new Starting Over Toolkit is packed with practical exercises and insightful guided journal entries. Check it out here!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Rewiring your brain for healing is a journey that involves patience, persistence, and an open heart.

By adopting a flexible mindset, understanding the interplay between brain patterns, chronic illness, and stress, and leveraging the incredible power of neuroplasticity, you can create lasting positive changes in your life.

Let’s embrace this journey with enthusiasm and hope, knowing that every step we take is a stride toward greater health and well-being!

Wishing you all the best in your healing journey!

Start Over Kitty & The Permission to Start Over Team

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