Mind Over Matter Research Paper

Mind over matter is a term we use to describe the phenomena of being able to control our physical bodies or physical conditions by using our mind. Some refer to mind over matter as the idea of being able to use your will to overcome physical limitations. Examples of this can be observed when watching athletes and extreme sports and outdoor enthusiasts who push the boundaries of ordinary human experiences. In some cases, people are actually intentionally causing themselves suffering by pushing themselves to their physical limits. There are also many health regimens that claim to optimize health and wellness through enduring unusually extreme physical conditions such as outdoor winter calisthenics and workouts to stimulate healing and to gain control over one's body systems. The key word in mind over matter is 'control.'
Through my own experiences of having been both an outdoor enthusiast who pushed boundaries and who also endured a traumatic injury that resulted in severe and …show more content…
They are not the same thing. We don't need to challenge ourselves to push our bodies and minds to the edge of endurance because it isn't necessary or helpful to heal. Healing involves learning how to change your mind to affect change in your body. It is not about trying to control your experiences. Mind over matter implies that you can and should always push a little harder. Healing is about becoming aware of your body, learning how to listen to your body, and responding to your body's messages in a way that is caring and empathetic. The limits that your brain has put on your body as a result of having a health condition can be altered through learning how to change your mind; however, changing your mind is not the same thing as mind over