Once considered “alternative”, the study of how the mind-body connection improves wellbeing and professional performance are now becoming more and more mainstream. In the Massachusetts Institute of Technology executive program called Neuroscience for Business, the power of the brain-body connection is a primary concept.

“In recent decades, increasing evidence has emerged that proves thinking is far from a purely above-the-neck process; a new science of ‘embodied cognition’ (Wilson & Golonka, 2013) has exploded. The science of embodiment proves the brain is not all humans rely on for problem-solving.”

- Dr. Tara Swart, MIT Faculty Director

The course further shared that interoception (being connected to the physiology of the inside of your body) can prime the brain and body to bring forth traits such as creativity, confidence, healthy risk appetite, and determination.

There is a growing body of research on how this works at a physiological level, and experts are learning how to use the knowledge to improve emotional regulation and performance. Learning to think with head-body integration leads to faster and more effective access to wise intuition and pattern recognition. This is how a chess master can look at a board and immediately see “white mates in three”. Wise intuition is also how a seasoned leader can assess a challenging situation that baffles others and instantly know what to do.

The goal is to first learn how the brain and body work can think together. Then, armed with the knowledge, build skills for emotional regulation and better thinking. The skills allow for deliberate combining of logical thought and accumulated wisdom. The practice is to nurture both “offline” practices (core mindfulness ability-building practices, proper rest, etc.) and “online” tools (physiological and cognitive methods that can be deployed in the moment of an emotional event). Working on personal mastery that leverages this type of capability leads to heightened levels of effectiveness, regardless of one’s current level.

Resources:

• Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, by Amishi Jha

• A Liberated Mind, by Steven C. Hayes

• The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk

• Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

• For a deeper dive into the science of interoception, see this article at MIT Technology Review