Know that there is a tremendous vitality in the body, a strong cohesive force, which if nurtured, brings all the powers of the body together to protect or heal a threatened or diseased part. Know that the mind too plays a huge role in healing. In fact, just as you don't differentiate between your two kids, don't differentiate between body and mind. Give both due respect, nurture both equally.

The digestive system is the venting outlet of the body. Frequent stomach upsets are the body's efforts to throw out the toxins you pour into it. While tending to the body, look to your mind as well. Is your mind unable to… or uncomfortable about accepting something about your body? The unease could be at three mental locations:

The past. A humiliation in the past could be a core issue. The reason you return again and again to that unpleasant place is because at a deep level you wish to fix it, to straighten it out. But please understand that replaying that scenario repeatedly neither fixes nor straightens it, it only releases an unhealthy sequence of biochemicals. And you get hooked to this unhealthy sequence as you get hooked to a drug, alcohol or a bad TV soap.

Often, time heals. But, meanwhile, keep pausing in the midst of the replay and tell yourself that thinking or talking about it serves no purpose except to strengthen the negative vibrations inside you. At some point, as this realisation brightens, the dark sadness vanishes and a luminous peace prevails.

The future. Fear of the unknown in the future can keep you in a twilight zone. Here, it is important to understand the amazing functioning of the mind. It answers in the exact tone that you question it. If you quaver, “Why do I fear the future?” it comes back with matching self-belittling stuff to explain your fears.

You've seen how a sportsperson self-talks during a match — “You can do it. You're the best.” This is exactly what we need to do. Tell your mind, “I'm the best. The future is fantastic. I'll make every day better, every year greater.” And see how your mind obligingly throws up matching self-boosters like, “Yes, you did a fantastic job of that project.” Soon you'll be swamped with loving positivity about your life.

The present. We normally ignore the present and live it mechanically. Yet, it's the only mental and physical location that you can relax in, where you can dispense with past and future preoccupations. You can relax completely if you internalise this beautiful scriptural axiom: “Whatever happened, happened for good. Whatever is happening, is happening for good. Whatever happens will also be for good.” Aah, you feel, it's so true… so settling … so freeing …

The body is always in the present. So, live in it instead of merely existing in it. Appreciate it. It contains secret caches of endorphins that when evoked orchestrate a beautiful sense of elation, an altered state of consciousness so powerful that it reduces our responsiveness to external stimuli including stressors. With the rise of endorphins, we can stomach our life better, even smile serenely at its vagaries and live healthily in our body.

There are various techniques to trigger off the Endorphin Effect and sail through each day in a relaxed, stress-free manner:

Exercise. Cycle 32 minutes non-stop.

Thought trigger. Focus on an event from start to finish that brings on sweet, pleasant feelings.

Smiling muscle. Think lovingly about your body, how hard and unceasingly it works for you. Give it some kind attention like a gentle massage, sitting in a tranquil body of water, basking in a mellow sun, floating dreamily in a swimming pool, relaxing…

Connecting to goodness. Feel connected with nature's beauty, with spiritual inspirations provided by Masters, with loving people, with your higher self.

All these healing endorphin-raising invocations must be practised long-term, ideally 24x7. Here's how to hold on to that high: Step 1. If the high is slipping and giving way to stressfulness, PAUSE. Step 2. Practise any of the four techniques given above — the one that is most do-able in the given situation/circumstance. Step 3. As the stress fades, relax more. Send healing energy to all near and dear ones. It's good to forget one's stress/woes and look to the welfare of others. Step 4. Hold on to the feeling of well-being. Write about it in a journal as lovingly, as sweetly, as gratefully, as humorously as possible. It's the best way of spreading the goodness from the brain to your entire body, your entire being.

Remember, what you do hinges on what you are, never the other way around. While outward activity is required for a livelihood, inner strengthening is required to live an all-rounded, healthy, quality life. You've got the inner resources — just delve into them.

The writer is co-author of the book Fitness for Life.

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