Body-mind awareness as a method of preventive health self care

BACKGROUND: Major illnesses have been associated with stress and health-inhibiting patterns. Living with stress is a normal and expected constant for many. The body-mind connection is an internal resource that links emotions to physical sensations and movement and constantly informs an individual of his/her somatopsychic state. Sites of memory storage known as neuropeptides exist throughout the body indicating the capacity for “body memory” and illustrating the communication network between body and mind. SIGNIFICANCE: Daily physical movement is reduced in many societies due to increased use of computers, cars, and image-based engagement. Reduced movement hinders breathing further inhibiting awareness of sensations. Full range of motion is under-stimulated and physical and emotional tension is held making the musculoskeletal system more rigid. Rigidity, a manifestation of stress, can be observed in movement, in the psyche, and in behavior. METHODS: In this oral presentation, I aim to present theoretical research and qualitative case analyses of body-mind awareness work done as a method of preventive health self care with clients who live with chronic illness and pain, clinical depression, eating disordered behavior, and age-related health concerns. FINDINGS: Body-mind awareness as a method of preventive health self care increases awareness of an individual's somatopsychic state and facilitates identifying health-inhibiting patterns. Linkages between stress, emotions and held tension are identified opening a pathway for somatic re-education. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: I will present the interdisciplinary body-mind awareness model that I created and will highlight several tools and exercises beneficial for stress-reduction, tension release, and preventive health self care.