Understanding the Mind-Body-Spirit Link
- Vijay Kumar
- May 24
- 2 min read
Why True Healing Must Address All Three
by Dr. Vijay | Building Mental Strength for Peace & Happiness
“You are not just a mind with thoughts—you are a living system of energy, emotion, and purpose.”
For years, I believed I could “think” my way out of stress. I tried strategies, forced positivity, and focused only on the mental game. But anxiety lingered. Fatigue remained. Deep down, I felt disconnected—not just from others, but from myself.
It wasn’t until I began healing across all three levels—mind, body, and spirit—that lasting change took root.
The Mind: Where Stress Begins (but doesn’t end)
Stress often starts with the mind—those racing thoughts, what-ifs, and mental noise. In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we learn that trying to eliminate these thoughts often makes things worse. The real skill is learning to observe them without being consumed.
ACT taught me to:
Defuse from unhelpful thoughts
Sit with uncomfortable emotions
Take actions aligned with my core values
This approach transformed how I viewed my internal world. But something was still missing
The Body: Where Stress Lives
During my PhD research on mental skills training, I worked closely with athletes who thrived under intense pressure. Their secret? Mental strength was rooted in physical awareness. They trained their nervous system—not just their mindset.
Chronic stress can show up as:
Muscle tightness and fatigue
Shallow breathing
Headaches and digestive issues
Through breathwork, movement, and relaxation techniques like Kriya breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, I finally felt what it meant to be safe in my own body.
The Spirit: Where Meaning Resides
The Bhagavad Gita gave me a spiritual lens through which to view life’s challenges—not as obstacles, but as opportunities for growth. Krishna’s teaching to Arjuna reminded me that inner peace doesn’t come from escape—it comes from purpose.
Spiritual practices helped me reconnect with:
Who I truly am
What I stand for
What I’m here to give
This alignment—between my actions and my deeper self—became the foundation for healing.
Integration: Healing in Wholeness
Your mental health is not just about managing thoughts. It's about creating harmony between:
Mind (thoughts, beliefs, intentions)
Body (sensations, energy, rhythm)
Spirit (values, faith, connection)
In my work with students, professionals, athletes, and defence personnel, this integrated model has become a guiding light—scientifically sound, spiritually rich, and deeply personal.
Try This: A 5-Minute Mind-Body-Spirit Reset
Mind: Write down one unhelpful thought. Ask, “Is this useful right now?”
Body: Take 5 deep belly breaths. Inhale peace. Exhale tension.
Spirit: Reflect on one value (e.g., compassion, strength). Choose one small act today that honours it.
What’s Next?
In the coming weeks, I’ll share tools from ACT, mental skills research, ancient wisdom and other resources to help you:
Build emotional resilience
Cultivate mental clarity
Find your inner anchor in turbulent times
You are more than your stress. More than your story.You are the wholeness behind it all.
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