Mind-Body Connection
April 7, 2024
April 7th marks the commemoration of the founding of the World Health Organisation and is the day we celebrate World Health Day.
The theme for this year is: ‘My Health, My Right’.
To celebrate this day, let’s take a moment and consider ways you can take better care of yourself; how you can prioritise your needs and mental well-being by taking care of your body. There is a surprising overlap between your mental and physical well-being. Some might call this overlap the mind-body connection.
But what is the mind-body connection?
The mind-body connection is the interconnection between your mental and physical well-being. It is a two-way relationship where the mind influences the body; the body influences the mind. For example, we were all told how physical exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. The reason behind that is that the brain releases chemicals (endorphins and serotonin) known to improve the mood and reduce stress. By strengthening the connection between the mind and body through a holistic perspective, you can start prioritising your health.
But what is a holistic approach?
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
A holistic approach is a perspective that looks at the whole person. It surrounds the body, mind and spirit by taking into consideration the physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing of the individual.
By adopting a holistic approach, you can:
- Enhanced mental clarity
- Improve your physical health
- Reduce feelings of anxiety or depression
How can you adopt a holistic approach?
When adopting a holistic approach, you become a key active participant in your healing process. Common recreational activities such as:
- Practicing music therapy: Some studies suggest that music therapy can reduce feelings of anxiety. How does it work? Well, research suggests that music can reduce blood pressure and the heartbeat, both of which have a direct impact on how stressed a person feels. It has also been suggested that music releases dopamine and endorphins, both of which are known for being mood enhancers.
- Practicing fate: Prayer can help a person focus on gratitude. It is believed that cultivating a sense of gratitude in your daily life can help people elevate their moods as it shifts your focus from “not enough” to “good enough”.
- Meditation: Meditation is the process of redirecting your thoughts to calm your mind. By practicing meditation, you can reduce your stress and subsequently reduce your anxiety.
- Practicing Yoga: Yoga has become known over the years as an alternative method for the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression as it creates a greater sense of well-being and increases feelings of relaxation in the individual. By incorporating yoga in your lifestyle, you are inviting a more optimistic outlook in your life.
- Sound and vibration therapy: Vibrational sound therapy can help you retune your body, mind and spirit, and encourage relaxation, healing and wellness in your body. By practicing sound and vibration therapy, you can reduce stress and depression, and improve sleep patterns.
Other ways you can also practice a holistic approach in your life is by:
- Incorporating more supplements in a healthy diet: We often hear of the importance of eating at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day as it can help lower the risk of heart diseases. Well, some scientists do believe that healthy diets help promote a healthy gut which can improve your anxiety levels, stress and mental outlook.
- Trying aromatherapy: We are all aware that lavender is commonly used to promote relaxation. Well, some essential oils, such as orange and lavender can help reduce anxiety and improve moods. By incorporating the use of essential oils in your home, you might be able to welcome more calmness in your life.
Those are only a few ways in which you can adopt a more holistic approach in your life. By adapting some of the activities listed above in your lifestyle, you can priotise your mental and physical well-being while trying new hobbies.
By Julia Tsang and Bella Korotcoff
We deeply believe that every wrinkle holds a story, and every grey hair shines with the light of a life well-lived. Each day adds a new shade to the beautiful picture of one’s journey — painted with memories, laughter, love, and the lessons learned through struggle. Aging is not a loss, but a reminder of how deeply we have lived, felt, and given to the world. It is a celebration of strength, resilience, and the quiet beauty that comes with time. Yet, growing older doesn’t mean growing alone — though many seniors quietly face emotional challenges that often go unspoken. Aging, with all its grace and wisdom, also carries its own trials. The natural effects of time — health struggles, social isolation, or loss of independence — can sometimes bring feelings of sadness, uncertainty, or loneliness. But by recognizing and valuing these rich lived experiences, we can offer compassion, connection, and care that uplift the spirit. In doing so, we help ensure that every senior continues their journey with peace, pride, and a heart full of purpose. While ageing is a journey to be celebrated, it’s also important to understand the emotional realities that can come with it. Over the years, Australians aged 65 and over have enriched our communities with their wisdom and resilience. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, this vibrant group makes up about 17% of the population, with nearly 9% experiencing mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, excluding dementia. Looking ahead, as this number grows to nearly one in four by 2065 (Australian Government, Department of Treasury – Intergenerational Report), we have a wonderful opportunity to prepare — by expanding support, raising awareness, and building strong connections — so that every senior can continue to live with dignity, joy, and purpose well into the future. Understanding Seniors’ Mental Health: Staying Strong, Connected, and Positive Stay Connected: Join social groups or MHFA support activities. Social interaction lowers cortisol (stress hormone) and boosts oxytocin, reducing loneliness and improving mood and memory. Focus on Emotional Wellness: Practice mindfulness or gratitude daily. This helps the prefrontal cortex regulate emotions and calms the amygdala, reducing anxiety and depression while boosting positivity. Seek Support: Use resources like the MHFA Supportive Mind App, peer groups, or counselling. Early help reduces stress, builds coping skills, and prevents mental health from worsening. Stay Active: Physical activity like walking or gardening releases endorphins and promotes neurogenesis. Mental activities like puzzles or reading strengthen neural connections, improving memory and attention. Routine Health Checks & Nutrition: Regular health check-ups and balanced nutrition are vital. Managing chronic conditions and eating well support brain health and overall well-being. Taking these steps can make a big difference in how seniors feel and thrive. With kindness, understanding, and support, every older person can enjoy life with dignity, connection, and joy. (Data and guidance adapted from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2025.) A Lived Experience Perspective In my work as a physiotherapy professional, I’ve come to deeply appreciate how closely physical health and mental well-being walk hand in hand. Many seniors arrive seeking help with pain or mobility, but often, beneath the surface, there’s a quiet longing for connection and emotional renewal. Through gentle conversations — truly listening to their stories, celebrating every small step forward, and linking them with caring peer support — I’ve witnessed inspiring transformations. When seniors feel seen, heard, and valued, their confidence soars, their motivation strengthens, and their physical recovery flourishes. These experiences beautifully highlight that true healing is a whole-person journey, embracing both body and spirit. By weaving together compassionate care and emotional support, we empower seniors to rediscover joy, purpose, and hope, no matter their age. Families and carers also play a vital role in this journey — offering patience, companionship, and encouragement that remind seniors they are never alone. The Power of Counselling Counselling provides a safe and caring space for seniors to share their feelings, navigate grief or life changes, and rediscover purpose and confidence. With empathy and understanding, professional counsellors help build resilience, offer coping tools, and open new perspectives for growth. For many, it becomes a gentle reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength — and that emotional well-being has no age limit. Help Is Here — You’re Not Alone At Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA), we’re dedicated to supporting the emotional well-being of people from all walks of life through psychological counselling, peer support groups, webinars, and community awareness programs. Our goal is to create a society where every person — regardless of age — feels heard, valued, and supported. Through compassion, connection, and education, MHFA continues to empower individuals and communities to prioritise mental health as an essential part of ageing well. If you or someone you know could use support, MHFA is here to help. Visit www.mhfa.org.au to explore our programs, join a support network, or register for upcoming events. Together, through empathy, awareness, and action, we can make ageing not just longer — but brighter, healthier, and more connected for everyone. Co-authored by Zain Khalid Warraich and Neha Anand
Just like we aim to exercise on a regular basis, our wellbeing must also follow a similar regime. Now our brain can be good for a few things, but it may not be as useful if we fail to recognise that we need time to indulge in activities that soothe the mind. This World Mental Health Day, we want to encourage you to notice what makes you thrive. Prioritising your own wellbeing encourages growth in the right direction- being the best version of yourself. Why is mental health important? Reported by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), about 2 in 5 Australians aged 16-85 (22% or 4.3 million) have experienced a mental disorder. Yet, within 2020-2022, only 17.4% of Australians of this age group saw a health professional for their mental health. Mental health struggles are worldwide, and your wellbeing is challenged at the hands of your daily life. It is important to understand that your body and mind co-exist to shape your social and physical ventures. When struggling with your mental health, your ability to think, feel and act is affected by your current wellbeing levels. Practising healthy wellbeing habits extends not only to how you feel about yourself, but your social relationships with family, friends, colleagues and strangers. It can be difficult to avoid the mental stress in our lives, but with habits that boost your wellbeing, you can build resilience and the confidence to tackle them day by day. 7 Ways, 7 Days A simple and easy way to start prioritising your wellbeing is self-care! You can find below 7 ways to take steps towards bettering your mental health over 7 days. Day One – Journal your thoughts and feelings Journalling your thoughts is a great way to release any stress, tension or energy that is affecting your mental health. It provides a safe space where you can reflect and identify any of your needs you are neglecting and a first step into prioritising your wellbeing. Day Two – Watch the sunset with a cup of tea Something as simple as sitting down and having a cup of tea is an easy way to ground yourself and reset after a long day. Acts of self-care do not need to be dramatically planned events, it can be a small thing, like having your favourite drink, where you take the time to consider yourself. Day Three – Create a morning routine Creating a routine and sticking to it can be a great way to help us recharge, manage stress, motivate us to get out of bed and prioritise our happiness and health. An example of a morning routine could be; avoiding screens for the first 10 minutes of your day, treating yourself to a coffee and a five-minute meditation. Day Four – Reconnect with a friend Social connections are key in relieving overwhelming emotions and calming our nerves. Talking to someone that you trust and feel comforted by can feel like a huge weight off our shoulders. You can reconnect with a friend by text, via a phone call and over a coffee to improve both of your social wellbeing! Day Five – Write down three things you are grateful for Writing things down can enhance your mental clarity and boost mindfulness when reflecting on the things that bring you joy and happiness. It gives the opportunity for your brain the recognise the good things in your life, especially if you are experiencing mental hardships. Day Six – Listen to music and go for a walk Nature can be powerful in changing our perspective of our circumstances, providing awe and wonder that can be a natural mood booster. By combining this with exercise and music, we can regulate our emotions, boost our moods and increase self-esteem as an act of self-care. Day Seven – Watch your favourite feel-good movie Movies can be a wonderful tool to help us recharge, decompress and regulate. It provides an escape from our minds allowing us to connect and reflect on the story we are being told. Remember though, we are what we watch, so make sure the movie you pick is one that brings joy, not a true crime, sad story. Taking the first step! At the MHFA, we have many ways for you to prioritise your wellbeing such as our Wellness Hub, where we provide low-cost $30 counselling sessions or our Support Groups which cover a range topics such as bipolar, trauma anxiety and depression. To reach out for support you can visit https://www.mhfa.org.au/get-support There is no one way to support your wellbeing. Habits can be varied and tailored to you, but that’s what makes it’s so important. Recognising what makes you shine and making time for yourself, especially on days that get difficult. Co-authored by Nicolette Buick and Sarah Auslender
If you are feeling socially isolated, lonely, or both, you are not alone. The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey reported that loneliness effected 1 in 10 Australians in 2023. Social isolation is defined as having objectively few social relationships or roles and infrequent social contact whereas loneliness is defined as a subjective, unpleasant, or distressing feeling of a lack of connection to other people, along with a desire for more, or more satisfying, social relationships. Social isolation is linked to mental illness, emotional distress, decreased wellbeing and poor health behaviours such as poor sleep, smoking and physical inactivity. More surprisingly, it has been linked to poor physical health effects such as high blood pressure and impaired immune function. Loneliness has similarly been linked to poor physical and mental health, psychological distress, and life dissatisfaction. It is easy to consider loneliness and isolation as one negative factor in your life, but its relation to other adverse mental and physical effects shouldn't go unnoticed. Isolation and loneliness look different on everyone and can be caused by a diverse range of factors. Some common causes are living with a mental health condition, life changes like a new school, social exclusion based on identity, financial hardship, a lack of confidence, difficulty opening up, and many more. Whether it’s these reasons, something else, or no tangible reason at all, you are not alone. Despite the lack of control you may feel due to these factors, know that there is always community and people who resonate or want to help. When it comes to feeling lonely or being isolated, it can be hard to look to the future or seek help. In fact, more than half of people living in Australia say they don’t talk to others about feeling lonely, and nearly half say they’re too embarrassed to admit this to others. It is also completely understandable that if you feel lonely for a particular reason, you might feel disconnected or feel like people may see you differently. Sometimes, a feeling of not belonging makes it harder to feel confident reaching out, due to fear of still feeling misunderstood or isolated after reaching out. This is a very understandable feeling, but there is absolutely no shame in feeling lonely, and the more you take steps to connect, the more you’ll be able to find connection. There is no one size fits all solution to preventing loneliness. Things which may help include engaging in community, sporting or creative memberships, contributing to an organisation as a volunteer, sharing your story online, or taking up a hobby or reaching out to someone you know. Starting small is often all you need to make steps in the right direction. Other ways to remedy feelings of loneliness or isolation include seeking professional support. Support groups can often be soothing, where speaking to people who share a shared lived experience in a candid way may break barriers or reduce feelings of shame. Counselling is another avenue worth exploring, where an objective individual who is invested in listening and assisting helps contribute to lessened feelings of aloneness. Whatever fits for you, if you are feeing lonely or isolated, know, it is more common than you think, and there are always avenues of support available when you are ready. References: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Strong-relationships-strong-health#bhc-content https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/social-isolation-and-loneliness Written by Callista Nguyen
