What the Body Knows, the Brain Told It

By Lisa G. Larson

When it comes to a person’s overall physical health, sometimes it is helpful to take a step back and recognize that, in addition to the physical manifestations of an ailment, there is likely a mental component as well.

“The mind, essentially the brain, is the computer for the rest of the body,” said Dr. Aaron Vazquez, adult psychiatrist and medical director for Behavioral Health at St. George Regional Hospital. “It’s in charge of making sense of our external environment and making decisions that keep us alive.”

Whether those decisions are related to a person’s success in relationships or their overall health, the impact of the mind on a person’s life is “very strong.”

“If the computer is failing or glitching out, the areas it controls are going to do the same,” Dr. Vazquez said.

According to Dr. Vazquez, one example of the power the mind has over the body is illustrated by the success seen in the Wim Hof Method. “It’s a method that includes extensive breath work and exposing the body to regular stressors—like cold water—in order to show what can be done with the mind in terms of controlling your physiology,” Dr. Vazquez said. “This method has been scientifically shown to improve immune responses and heart health.”

Whether a person subscribes to this method or not, Dr. Vazquez said it illustrates the power of “mind over matter,” which can be beneficial in a wide range of physical health-related issues. “The key is to create awareness, to dial down the noise and distractions in our lives, and to focus on what matters most to us. For most people, one of those things is physical health,” Dr. Vazquez said.

But awareness is only the first step. “Healthy thinking is necessary and a good start, but it doesn’t necessarily lead to healthy behavior,” Dr. Vazquez said. “From there, insight and a change in behavior are required.”

One way to more effectively change behavior is to develop healthy rituals. “As a psychiatrist, in order to understand a person’s anxiety, for example, we have to understand their routines and habits,” said Dr. Vazquez. A lot of time is spent examining those rituals and looking for dysfunction. Usually the dysfunction lies in the inconsistencies.

“It’s not necessarily important what time you go to sleep, but what matters is that it’s the same time every day,” Dr. Vazquez continued. “Similarly, in order to give adequate time to physical and mental health, you need to have a plan as part of your routine, whether that is exercising each morning for thirty minutes, eating lunch with friends rather than eating alone, or writing a gratitude list every day. It’s all very individualized.”

Ultimately, people only give attention to those things they make time for in a very routine way, explained Dr. Vazquez. If you have a routine that leads to healthy physical behaviors and you follow through on the routine, you get rewarded with a dopamine hit that you did something correctly, and you’re more likely to want to repeat the behavior.

As for the mind’s impact on relationships, those struggling with mental illness almost always impact those with whom they have relationships. “I’ve never seen a spouse living their best life when the one they love the most is struggling with severe mood swings or anxiety. It takes both people through that roller coaster,” Dr. Vazquez said. “Conversely, someone’s good mental health is more likely to lead to a shared sense of wellness for them and their partner.”

It all comes back to the impact the brain has on one’s physical well being: a computer connection that is difficult to override. “The biggest limiting factors to our personal growth and development are the limitations we put on ourselves,” Dr. Vazquez said. “Negative thoughts slow our growth. Positive thoughts put people on a path to a greater positive outcome both mentally and physically.”

Dr. Aaron Vazquez emphasized that a key to mental health is to dial down the noise and distractions in our lives and focus on what matters most.

About the Author

Lisa Larson is a freelance writer with a background in public relations and public speaking and a passion for sharing great stories. You might spot Lisa with her husband and three children, enjoying the downtown carousel or exploring one of the area’s hiking trails. She also enjoys reading and baking, and she is looking to rekindle her romance with running. You can find Lisa on Twitter @LisaGLarson or at www.facebook.com/larsonlisa.

Lisa Larson