{"id":4201,"date":"2021-03-27T01:00:30","date_gmt":"2021-03-27T01:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/?p=4201"},"modified":"2026-10-13T16:31:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T16:31:55","slug":"mind-body-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/mind-body-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Mind Body Connection: Fitness is More Than Physical"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There is more to fitness than just the physical changes that occur. The mind-body connection is a huge aspect of fitness that often goes overlooked.<\/p>\n<p>Women often turn to exercise in order to lose weight or get a toned, strong body.<\/p>\n<p>But, exercise also plays a big role in improving mental health.<\/p>\n<p>The past year has been a trying time for people across the world.<\/p>\n<p>With lockdowns keeping many moms and their families isolated and unable to participate in normal activities, the importance of mental and emotional health has never been clearer.<\/p>\n<p>Exercise is an amazing outlet that allows women to strengthen both their bodies and their minds at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>Physical activity is truly one of the best treatments out there when it comes to decreasing stress and empowering the mind.<\/p>\n<p>The endorphins released during exercise improve anxiety and can even help with pain relief.<\/p>\n<p>The benefits of exercise not only include improved physical fitness, but also mental and emotional health.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s dig deeper into the mind-body connection.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The path to weight loss is an intense journey. The physical demands are well known, but what about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/emotional-changes-during-weight-loss\/?utm_source=blog-post&amp;utm_medium=text-link&amp;utm_term=mind-body-connection&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_campaign=fm30x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">emotional changes during weight loss<\/a>?<\/em><\/h3>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"11296\" class=\"elementor elementor-11296\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fb8f687 option-banner elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fb8f687\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9f91548\" data-id=\"9f91548\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ca855d elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8ca855d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Join <em>Fit Mother For Life<\/em> \u2014 The #1 Fitness Community For Busy Moms 40+<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64266ae elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile_extra elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"64266ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"192\" height=\"12\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/long-arrow.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11293\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1387405 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1387405\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/join.fitmotherproject.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">JOIN NOW \u00bb<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<h2>The Ultimate Exercises For Mind Body Connection<\/h2>\n<p>When choosing a type of exercise, it needs to be something that you enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>Exercise comes in all forms, so pick something that you look forward to doing on a regular basis.<\/p>\n<p>This can be a group exercise class at a gym, a yoga session in your living room, or even weight training.<\/p>\n<h2>Yoga<\/h2>\n<p>Yoga is one of the top exercises for enhancing the mind-body connection.<\/p>\n<p>A lot of women don\u2019t think that they can do yoga because all they see are countless social media posts of athletes tying themselves up in knots in complicated poses.<\/p>\n<p>However, the best way to begin a yoga program is to start with simple poses that allow you to focus on your breathing and become aware of how your body moves through each pose.<\/p>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"11296\" class=\"elementor elementor-11296\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fb8f687 option-banner elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fb8f687\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9f91548\" data-id=\"9f91548\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ca855d elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8ca855d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Join <em>Fit Mother For Life<\/em> \u2014 The #1 Fitness Community For Busy Moms 40+<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64266ae elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile_extra elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"64266ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"192\" height=\"12\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/long-arrow.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11293\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1387405 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1387405\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/join.fitmotherproject.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">JOIN NOW \u00bb<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<h2>Outdoor Activities<\/h2>\n<p>Outdoor exercise is another great option to get your heart pumping and also be able to enjoy nature at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>Outdoor activities are an excellent way to improve overall well-being.<\/p>\n<p>For example, studies have found that outdoor settings are more restorative.<\/p>\n<p>On top of that, <a href=\"https:\/\/dialnet.unirioja.es\/servlet\/articulo?codigo=5633350\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">studies<\/a> have shown that people who combine outdoor with indoor physical activity report more positive emotions and well-being associated with exercise, and their connectedness to nature is a significant predictor of well-being.<\/p>\n<p>Some amazing outdoor activities that have been found to aid in stress reduction include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Walking<\/li>\n<li>Biking<\/li>\n<li>Jogging<\/li>\n<li>Hiking<\/li>\n<li>Paddleboarding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Get the whole family active with this backyard workout!<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"video-responsive\"><iframe src=\" https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U_CQ6sC0xXE?modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=1&amp;showinfo=0&amp;controls=0\" width=\"560\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Mindful Exercise<\/h2>\n<p>Rhythmic movement and mindful exercise are basically combinations of mediation with aerobic physical activity.<\/p>\n<p>This combination of anxiety-reducing techniques works to give you a higher level of stress relief.<\/p>\n<p>Any workout with repetitive motion is considered rhythmic exercise.<\/p>\n<p>This includes things like running, walking, swimming, and even dancing.<\/p>\n<p>While simply engaging in rhythmic exercise will help you relieve stress, if you add a mindfulness component on top, you\u2019ll find even more of a stress relief benefit.<\/p>\n<p>This means you can choose any type of exercise you like.<\/p>\n<p>However, instead of zoning out and listening to music or watching TV while running on a treadmill, actively engage in how your body feels during the workout.<\/p>\n<p>Turn off your thoughts and worries and pay attention to your breathing and how your muscles feel as they contract throughout the exercise.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you go out for a run, leave the headphones at home.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, focus on the rhythm of your breathing as you move.<\/p>\n<p>Pay attention to how your feet strike the ground and your arms brush by your sides.<\/p>\n<p>Notice how the wind and sun feel across your face.<\/p>\n<p>If your mind wanders to other thoughts, gently return to focusing on your breathing and movement.<\/p>\n<p>This will be both relaxing and regenerating at the same time.<\/p>\n<h2>Dynamic and Static Stretching<\/h2>\n<p>Stretching is not only a great way to enhance flexibility and range of motion, but it can also help engage the mind-body connection.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, all you need is a comfortable pair of clothes and a small area of space.<\/p>\n<p>You can perform dynamic and static stretches when you first wake up in the morning to help prepare you for the day ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Or you can use stretching as a nice way to decompress and relax before bedtime.<\/p>\n<p>Try some of these basic stretches to ease tension, pain, and stress either first thing in the morning, after a busy day, or anywhere in between!<\/p>\n<h3>Dynamic Stretches<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Inchworm<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Start on your hands and feet with your hips in the air in an inverted V position.<\/li>\n<li>Then walk your feet as far forward as possible while keeping your legs straight.<\/li>\n<li>Then, walk your hands out, extending your body into a plank position.<\/li>\n<li>Then raise your hips up again into an inverted V.<\/li>\n<li>Continue this pattern of walking forward and repeat 5 times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Back and Chest Rotations<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Start down on all fours with your knees below your hips and wrists below your shoulders.<\/li>\n<li>Place your left fingertips behind your left ear.<\/li>\n<li>Rotate your upper body to the left, so that your left elbow points up to the ceiling.<\/li>\n<li>Then twist your torso back to the starting position.<\/li>\n<li>Continue for 8 reps on the left, then switch sides and repeat on the right.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Arm Circles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hold your arms out to the sides at shoulder height. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make small circles forward for 10 reps, then backward for 10 reps. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repeat with larger circles.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Shoulder Shrugs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bring your shoulder up towards your ears and rotate forward and back around. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repeat for 10 reps, then repeat in the reverse direction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Static Stretches<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Core Stretch<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lie on your stomach and press up while keeping your legs on the floor.<\/li>\n<li>You should feel this stretch in your abs and hip flexors as you lean back.<\/li>\n<li>Hold for 20-30 seconds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Glutes Stretch<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sit on the floor.<\/li>\n<li>Bend your left leg while keeping your right foot flat on the floor.<\/li>\n<li>Cross your left leg over your right thigh.<\/li>\n<li>Hold for 15-20 seconds, then switch sides.<\/li>\n<li>You can pull your legs in for a deeper stretch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Arm\/Shoulder Stretch<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stretch your right arm across your body while pulling into your body with your left arm.<\/li>\n<li>Hold for 15-20 seconds, then switch sides and repeat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are 10 stretches that you should be doing every day!<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"video-responsive\"><iframe src=\" https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fmOVpZfG_lI?modestbranding=1&amp;autohide=1&amp;showinfo=0&amp;controls=0\" width=\"560\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Meditation<\/h2>\n<p>Living a healthy lifestyle is not just about being physically fit, but also about your cognitive and emotional health.<\/p>\n<p>Finding the mind-body connection will help you feel healthier overall, and to live a high quality of life.<\/p>\n<p>Increased stress can also alter hormone levels and increase cortisol.<\/p>\n<p>This catabolic hormone leads to muscle breakdown along with increased appetite and weight gain.<\/p>\n<p>As you can see, stress plays a major role in our overall health and well-being.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce stress that are simple and don\u2019t require anything more than an open mind.<\/p>\n<p>One of these methods is meditation.<\/p>\n<p>Meditation, or even just sitting in a quiet room for a few minutes, may help you deal with stress.<\/p>\n<p>Mindful meditation allows you to become more aware of yourself and your surroundings and really be present in the moment.<\/p>\n<p>After a long day of work and family responsibilities, it can be extremely therapeutic to take just five to ten minutes for yourself to engage in meditation.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.karger.com\/Article\/Abstract\/289116\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Research<\/a> has shown that individuals who participate in mindful meditation have decreased levels of stress and an overall improved outlook on life.<\/p>\n<p>So this is definitely something to consider if you find yourself dealing with high levels of stress.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"page\" data-elementor-id=\"2131\" class=\"elementor elementor-2131\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-cfae885 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-reverse-mobile sc-container fmjs elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile_extra elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cfae885\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0a9332a sc-left-col\" data-id=\"0a9332a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cb607f shortcode-content title-content elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"1cb607f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2>GET YOUR FREE<br\/>\r\u201cFIT MOM\u201d JUMPSTART<br\/>\r(MEAL PLAN + WORKOUT)\r<\/h2>\r\r\r<p>Let us show you how you can start losing weight this week! We'll email you our free meal plan & workout + email&nbsp;coaching.<\/p>\r\r<a href=\"https:\/\/plan.fitmotherproject.com\/?utm_source=site&amp;utm_medium=banner&amp;utm_term=fmjs\" class=\"optin-banner-btn left-arrow\">YES! GET MY FREE <span>PLAN&nbsp;<i class=\"fas fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5d79282 sc-right-col\" data-id=\"5d79282\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fefc65 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-widescreen elementor-hidden-tablet_extra elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9fefc65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">GET YOUR FREE<br> \u201cFIT MOM\u201d JUMPSTART<br>(MEAL PLAN + WORKOUT)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d82cac5 elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit sc-image elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d82cac5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/plan.fitmotherproject.com\/?utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=banner&#038;utm_term=fmjs\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"308\" height=\"307\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sent-straight-to-your-email-img.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3398\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sent-straight-to-your-email-img.png 308w, https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sent-straight-to-your-email-img-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sent-straight-to-your-email-img-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 308px) 100vw, 308px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How to Get Started with Meditation<\/h2>\n<p>There are a number of different styles of meditation.<\/p>\n<p>One of the easiest things to do is to start out with simple breathing techniques.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find a quiet room where you can be comfortable and there are no distractions.<\/li>\n<li>Sit still and begin to focus on your breath as you slowly inhale and exhale.<\/li>\n<li>Take note of where you feel your breath and really stay in tune with your body.<\/li>\n<li>Deeply inhale as you expand your chest and stomach, and then slowly exhale, really lengthening out the breath.<\/li>\n<li>Try doing this for just five minutes to start and you will see how quickly this can calm your mind.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can also find some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/guided-sleep-meditation\/?utm_source=blog-post&amp;utm_medium=text-link&amp;utm_term=mind-body-connection&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_campaign=fm30x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">great apps that you can download right to your phone<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>These programs include music, peaceful sounds, and cues to help you meditate and get in tune with your body.<\/p>\n<p>Recent research shows that these apps have a positive impact on mental health.<\/p>\n<p>A 2018 <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s12671-018-1050-9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study<\/a> found that mindfulness app users showed significant improvements in stress-related issues such as depressive symptoms, resilience, and mindfulness.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, those who continued to use the apps frequently were more likely to maintain improvements in mental health.<\/p>\n<p>And the benefits of meditation go beyond just improvements in your stress levels.<\/p>\n<p>Mindful meditation can even improve chronic health issues associated with stress.<\/p>\n<p>Meditation and relaxation techniques have been shown to create small, yet beneficial, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3303565\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decreases in blood pressure<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, regular meditation may also play a role in a non-pharmacologic approach to helping <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Marcellino-Monda\/publication\/303813898_Meditation_as_a_Useful_Chance_for_Chronic_Pain_Decrease\/links\/57554d0508ae10c72b666b32\/Meditation-as-a-Useful-Chance-for-Chronic-Pain-Decrease.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">relieve chronic pain<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>So there are numerous health reasons to add meditation into your exercise routine.<\/p>\n<p>While it may not seem like the &#8220;workouts&#8221; you are accustomed to, exercising your mind is just as important as exercising your body.<\/p>\n<h2>Connect Your Mind and Body Through Exercise<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Living a healthy lifestyle is not just about being physically fit, but also about your cognitive and emotional health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress can take over our lives and be detrimental to our health in so many ways, even if we aren\u2019t even aware of it! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a complex issue and one that we all face on a day-to-day basis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress can lead to fatigue and disinterest in activities. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you feel completely overwhelmed with your day-to-day living, it can be hard to focus on your own health and fitness. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This leads to poor eating habits, exercising less, and becoming more distant from your friends and family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>By using exercise to become more in tune with your mind and body, you can start on the path to improving not just your physical health, but also your mental health.<\/p>\n<p>This mind-body connection is one of the most important parts of fitness that should not be overlooked.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n  <div class=\"author-box-wrap auth9\">\n    <div class=\"thumb-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"author-img\"><img data-del=\"avatar\" src='https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Holly-bio-pic.jpg' class='avatar pp-user-avatar avatar-250 photo ' height='250' width='250'\/><\/div>\n      <div class=\"author-details\"><div class=\"author-name\">Holly Smith, M.D.<\/div>\n        <div class=\"author-job\">B.S. Dietetics, <span>NASM-PES Certified Trainer<\/span><\/div>\n          <div class=\"author-title\"><p>Writer, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fit Mother Project<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Holly is an osteopathic physician, runner, triathlete, and fitness and nutrition enthusiast.<\/p>\n<p>She is board certified in nephrology and internal medicine, has a bachelors degree in dietetics and is a certified personal trainer with NASM-PES certification.<\/p>\n<p>Holly has completed four full ironmans, twelve marathons, countless half ironmans, olympic distance triathlons, half marathons and numerous other road races.<\/p>\n<p>Holly joined the Fit Father Project in May 2019 as a regular writer, contributing articles on health, wellness, exercise, and nutrition.<\/p>\n<p>She has also recently qualified for the 2020 World Championships for Ironman 70.3, in New Zealand!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Please know that weight loss results &amp;amp; health changes\/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice &#8211; simply very well-researched info on the mind-body connection.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div style=\"display:none;\" class=\"postcatlist\"><a href='https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/tag\/exercise\/'><span>exercise<\/span><\/a>, <a href='https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/tag\/lifestyle\/'><span>lifestyle<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>There is more to fitness than just physical changes. The mind-body connection is a huge aspect of fitness that often goes overlooked.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":4267,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,29,5549,16,3259],"tags":[3660,3710],"class_list":["post-4201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-exercise","category-lifestyle","category-mental-health","category-womens-health","tag-exercise","tag-lifestyle"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.8 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mind Body Connection: Fitness is More Than Physical | Fit Mother Project<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There is more to fitness than just physical changes. 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