How does your body feel right now? Close your eyes for a moment. Notice your breath. The tension in your shoulders. The rhythm of your heartbeat. Now ask yourself: How does your mind feel?
We often treat the body and mind as separate entities, but they’re deeply intertwined. What affects one, shapes the other. Let me share a story about how I learned this firsthand.
When Visualization Beats Practice —
In 7th grade, I got a last-minute chance to compete in a track meet when a teammate fell ill. My running times weren’t impressive, but a friend fibbed to the coach that I’d been training extra hours (I hadn’t). With zero time to practice, I spent the bus ride to the meet visualizing the mile race: the surge of adrenaline, the burn in my legs, the final sprint. Over and over, I pictured myself crossing the finish line.
Result? I shaved over a minute off my best time and won a ribbon. That day taught me: The mind doesn’t just influence the body—it can transform it.
Last Week vs. This Week: SPIRE’s Pillars
Last week in my newsletter, we explored the Spiritual Pillar—cultivating purpose and presence. Today, we dive into the Physical Pillar: caring for your body to harness the mind-body connection.
How’s your physical well-being? Ask yourself these questions (adapted from Tal Ben-Shahar’s Happier, No Matter What):
- How do you take care of your body?
- How physically active are you?
- Do you prioritize rest and recovery?
- What’s your relationship with stress?
Stress Isn’t the Enemy—Unmanaged Stress Is
Many of you’ve shared feeling overwhelmed by constant triggers: global uncertainty, personal chaos, and the relentless pace of life. Here’s the truth: Stress itself isn’t harmful. Our bodies evolved to handle short-term threats via “fight, flight, or freeze.” The problem? Modern life keeps us stuck in this heightened state.
The antidote? Recovery.
3 Types of Recovery (You Probably Aren’t Using Enough)
To shift out of survival mode, we need layers of restoration. Think of it as a pyramid:1. Micro-Level Recovery: Daily “Reset Buttons”
- Take a 5-minute breathing break every 90 minutes
- Dance to one song (bonus points for crazy moves)
- Pet an animal—mindfully notice their fur texture
- Read fiction during coffee breaks (my personal favorite)
2. Mid-Level Recovery: Weekly Resets
- Protect 7-9 hours of sleep nightly
- Take one full day off work/school weekly (no “quick emails”!)
3. Macro-Level Recovery: Deep Disconnects
- Plan a vacation (or staycation!) for 1-2 weeks/year
- Go tech-free: No emails, no news, just you
This Week’s Challenge
Leave me a comment and finish this sentence:
“One way I’ll restore this week is…”
(Example: “…by taking a 10-minute walk after lunch, phone-free.”)
Next Week: The Intellectual Pillar of SPIRE—how curiosity and deep learning fuel resilience.
Want Tailored Support?
If stress feels relentless, let’s co-create strategies that fit your life. Email me at dianna@collierclan.net for a free consultation.
Dianna Collier 