How the body responds to the mind

The body is not stupid - in fact, it's pretty damn clever.

I've been thinking a lot recently about the link between what's going on in our heads and how that manifests itself in our bodies.

This past couple of weeks I've never felt such a strong link between physical and emotional happiness - and it's even made me reassess my whole outlook when it comes to what I'm practising, and preaching.

Over the past week, without going into too much detail, I haven't been the happiest of bunnies - and this has triggered a week long sore throat and lingering cold, a spasmed lower back (that I've never had before), breakouts, dry skin and poor sleep. *Plays small violin*

What's so interesting is the change in these conditions (particularly the pain) when I'm around positive, loving people, or listening to my favourite music (old school garage of course). Yet the increase in pain when I'm alone, feeling sad, or around people giving off negative vibes is way more than just a coincidence.

This is something that was spoken about at a great workshop I went to on Friday night, led by Tanya Goodman Bailey of The Belly Love Method. (Yes it was a wild Friday night out, exploring my digestion!) Tanya highlighted so many interesting links between digestive health and emotions, the management of pain, and simple techniques such as singing and using body scans to reduce and even eliminate pain completely.

While it's nothing new, the idea that your body is simply a reflection of your mental wellbeing, and that we can actually not only create pain, but also eliminate pain with the power of the mind, it's made me even more passionate that when it comes to health promotion if we can address what's going on in our minds, the rest will just follow naturally.

So with that in mind, I'm off to meditate for a few minutes before dinner with some people I love.

Here's to a happy mind in 2016.

Ruth xxx

Anyone else hate this week?

29th December 2009

Instead of beating myself up about the fact I've not been to the gym in over 2 weeks as i sit on the sofa tucking into another choccy, I've decided that 2010 will be the year to give myself a break.

No, I'm not going to give up my gym seshes and turn into a couch spud, but I'm going to accept that if I do have a week or two of chilling out, it's probably good for me!

If you want to give your health a quick boost, try making something quick and yummy like my French Onion soup- guaranteed to make you feel virtuous as you snuggle up in the warm in your Christmas slippers and tracky bums!

Ingredients: Serves 4
3 large onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 litre chicken or beef stock (reduced salt if possible)
500ml water
4 cloves of garlic, crushed
½ teaspoon sugar
4 slices wholemeal bread


Method:

To make the croutons, drizzle half of the oil and the garlic over a baking sheet and toss the bread so that it is covered on both sides. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until crispy.

For the soup, heat the remaining oil in a saucepan on medium heat and add the onions, garlic and sugar. Keep turning the onions until the edges are turning dark. Reduce to a low heat and continue to cook the onions for another 20 minutes. Add the stock to the pan and cook for another 30 minutes. Top up with water every 15 minutes. Serve with croutons on top. Enjoy!
I added a touch if chilli powder and sprinkled some camembert on top- yum!




Nutritional breakdown:

Per serving
Calories: 278
Saturated fat: 1g
Salt:0.5g
Fibre:5g