The link between mind, body, and soul is a scientific fact. Research reveals that we have three separate neural pathway networks, leading to the head, the gut, and the heart. These have been dubbed as the three brains, all capable of controlling how we feel and how we react.
We all want to be healthier versions of ourselves and improve our overall well-being. Many times, we tend to concentrate only on the body, focusing on our physical health. While this is important, but this alone would not be the only component of well-being that we should improve.
To achieve lasting health, we need to understand the importance of the body, mind, and soul and how they work together to build our overall health. A healthy body keeps you well and active, while a healthy mind keeps you focused and engaged, and a healthy soul keeps you fulfilled and content.
Employees and leaders who work in all three areas commonly display several desirable traits in the workplace:
- High productivity
- Reduced conflicts
- Decreased leave
- Improved motivation
- Increased engagement
Whether you’re a leader or employee, understanding the importance of mind, body and soul can give a benefitted edge in your organization.
We reap what we sow, and we get out of life what we put into it. Call it karma, call it the Golden Rule, the Law of Attraction, or the Law of Reciprocity – it’s a universal principle that has remained constant through the ages.
Control your Body and Mind
The value we get from life is equal to the value we create. That’s how it works. The key for all of us is to start the process of value creation and to continue expanding it throughout our lives by engaging deeply at work and with your family, constantly seeking opportunities to assist and help others, taking care of your mind, body, and soul so that they can take care of you.
We all know what we should be doing to look after our bodies – eat less and move more. However, -it is much easier said than done. For initial phase, here are few suggestions for looking after your physical health and nurturing the gut ‘brain’.
- Moderation is the key. Start by reducing the intake of unhealthy food, soft drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. Learn to read nutrition labels and find healthier options for snacks.
- Commit to regular exercise. Find ways to include physical activity in your daily activity such as walk upstairs instead of taking the lift, or joining in with lunchtime sport.
- Be proactive. Keep on top of your health by scheduling regular medical check-ups to monitor your health and wellbeing.
- Concentrate on the basics. Focus on your sleep, nutrition, hydration, and exercise. Set realistic goals, celebrate the small wins, and keep going!
Think Right Thoughts to Influence Emotions
Stress is everywhere and with life becoming more demanding, it’s vital we pay attention to our mental state. Focusing on nourishing the mind and our mental health can improve our focus, relationships, outlook, and more. Taking actions without thinking them or without any connection to what that feeling (spirit) inside is trying to tell us, must be avoided.
Living a meaningful life, a spirited life & how does it really happen? Spiritual health is more than religion or new age beliefs. It involves identifying our purpose and direction, recognizing what brings us joy, and understanding how to find contentment in our lives. Here are some suggestions to improve the health and wellbeing of your soul.
Many cannot imagine that real character formation can be achieved in any format other than in the traditional brick-and-mortar model of residential education with in-class face time. Profound character formation, however, can and has happened through quality and effective learning in online education.
Good pedagogy toward fostering character formation begins with an understanding of the heart and soul and their relationship to one another. Allowing this knowledge to inform the creation of well-framed questions and prompts while fostering mutual engagement between students, and between students with their instructor provides not only higher levels of learning but also lasting character formation in the student.
Character formation begins with a proper understanding of the heart and soul. The heart is often misrepresented in American culture, for the heart has much more to do with how we live than what we might be led to believe. Perhaps the closest we can come to this idea is when we speak of doing something “whole-heartedly.” In Proverbs 4:23, believers are warned: “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (HCSB). Mentioned nearly one thousand times in God’s word, it is clear that the heart is important to God.
Three components that make up the human heart
The mind, the thinking function of the heart, is where our thoughts are received, processed, and formed. Emotions are tied to our thoughts and helps in expressing what we do. Here, both the concepts - Closed Model and Engaged Model are discussed. Components of the heart-mind, emotion, and will—are often examined separately but were created to function together. They make up who we are.
Our lives are our hearts in motion because the heart is the control centre of the soul.
The soul, too, is often misrepresented, understood as the non-material “essence of who we are,” would, unfortunately, be only partially correct, as Scripture does not support the bifurcation between the “soul” and the “body”.
Students learn more when the course content fascinates them and when they believe professors care about their learning. Link this thought to motivate students to engage themselves in their studies and disciplined routine. Create something they want to learn from you. Students become more engaged in their spiritual transformation when they are confident their professors value life transformation.
The goal is character formation and educators can provide opportunities for students to change something about themselves and grow as a whole person. This kind of learning can best be accomplished in a community that values knowledge and being known. Learning together influences deeper levels of engagement.
Optimize Your Spirit
Just as mental and physical aspects of your daily routine can elevate you and push you forward, the same is true when you tend to push yourself emotionally and spiritually. Here are a few options to consider:
- Try Meditation
- Find a well of inspiration
- Learn something new every day
- Spend less time with people who don't lift up
The best way to free your mind from unwelcome or unwanted thoughts is to engage it with other thoughts or to remove or resolve the cause of the thoughts you are having. Moreover, using positive affirmations also helps you to make better choices and see things from a different and more positive perspective.
About the Author
Nasir Shaikh is the Chief Executive Officer of Lexicon Management Institute of Leadership & Excellence. He is also a Board Member in Rising Star Outreach of India. He dons various roles such as Life Leadership Coach, TEDx Speaker, Trainer, Motivational Speaker, Passion Catalyst.