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.