Balancing Mind & Body
About the challenge
How to use stress in your favour and avoid diseases, in spite of the challenges of modern life.
It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.
Description
Understanding what stress is and having a daily practice that balances your mind and body system. Stress is a response of our fight or flight system. This mechanism is very efficient when we face an emergency such as a dangerous predator; our sympathetic nervous system is activated, making all of our body alert by releasing adrenaline into our blood. However, if we go through a prolonged period of stress, the hormone released is cortisol, which in the long run becomes a poisonous to our health.
Some of the most important factors in a balanced routine include:
- Breathing – if you can only do one thing, learn to breathe deeply.
- Relaxation – meditation, yoga, walking in nature.
- Sleep – having enough sleep regularly .
- Exercise – exercising releases good hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine which counteract the negative effects of cortisol.
- Balanced diet – a balanced diet promotes health and prevents diseases.
- Hugs – hugs of at least 20 seconds’ duration increase the production of oxytocin (assuming you like hugs!).
- Whatever works for your wellbeing. Find your own practice!
Areas of impact
Culture
- Mindfulness & Self Reflection.
See also
- http://healmindbody.com/medicalcare/stress/, retrieved: March 27, 2015.
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/headtoehappiness/201006/whatismind bodymedicine, retrieved: March 27, 2015.*
- http://hms.harvard.edu/news/genetics/mindbodygenomics5113, retrieved: March 27, 2015, submitted by Nara.*
| Authors | Maria Cooper |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Organizations | Global Ecovillages Network |
| Ported from | https://www.ecovillage.org/solution/balancing-mind-body-2/ (original) |
| Cite as | Maria Cooper (2025). "GEN Solution Library/Balancing mind & body". Appropedia. Retrieved February 26, 2026. |