If you look at your own belief system, you’ll find bits and pieces of the mind-body-spirit connection already in place. Today a mix-and-match approach works for many people – combining traditional medicine with complementary medicine therapies, adding in exercise and meditation along with religious practice. It’s not required that you go “all in” with one or another. A day of yoga complements your sessions with a therapist, as does your morning run, your healthy diet, or even your regular visits to the nail salon.

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If you are comfortable acknowledging the stress, or are attempting to keep your feelings below the surface, there are steps you can take to lessen the impact on your body and stay healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally.

You have probably heard of the mind-body-spirit connection, but might not be sure what it means and how it affects your well-being.

Mind-body-spirit means that our wellness comes not just from physical health, but from mental health and spiritual health as well. To be “healthy,” we must pay attention to all three aspects of our nature.

Here are some examples of the mind-body-spirit connection:

• Many of us will get a headache when we are stressed – that is a perfect example of how your mind is affecting your body.

• People who exercise regularly – whether it’s a daily walk, a long run, an hour of yoga, or time in the gym strength training – will often experience depression if their exercise routine is interrupted by injury, travel, or anything that prohibits them from getting the activity their body has come to expect and rely on for stress relief.

• Are you a “stress eater?” I am sure many people who working from home or who have had their normal routines disrupted during this time are facing that challenge today.

• Remember that amazing feeling you had last time you pampered yourself by having a massage, getting your nails done, or having you hair cut, colored, and styled? That’s your mind and your body and possibly even your spirit all working together to make you feel great.

• People with a strong faith who practice their faith feel good after they attend services or perform their regular devotions. They feel “whole,” happy, and focused.

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As we work together to achieve greater balance in your life, you will find a greater level of mastery over the self, achieve higher levels of emotional well-being, and experience a calmer more content life experience.