(BPT) - It's the start of another year. What do you hope to accomplish in 2026? If your goal is to improve your wellness, it's time to consider how you can care not just for your body, but your mind as well.
According to the American Psychological Foundation, your mind and body work together as one system in a constant feedback loop. When you ignore one, you're inadvertently hurting the other.
"Your body and mind are not separate spheres," said Dr. Dustin DebRoy, DC, manager of education and relations at The Joint Chiropractic. "When one is affected, the other is, too. That's why a holistic approach that targets physical and psychological health is critical to overall wellness."
There are many ways to support your physical and psychological health, and one approach that may help bring both areas into better alignment is regular chiropractic care. Read on to discover six key ways chiropractic care may help support a healthy body, healthy mind and - ultimately - a healthy you.
Encourages proper posture to reduce strain
Improving your posture can do wonders for the health of your spine and your whole body. When you practice good posture, you can reduce the strain you feel from sitting, lifting or repetitive motions at work or home. However, when your spine is misaligned, proper posture can be difficult to achieve. The good news is that chiropractic care offers non-invasive spinal adjustment techniques that, over time, may improve your spinal alignment and - as a result - your posture.
Promotes a grounded mind and body
Physical alignment can impact and often reflect your sense of internal alignment. By aligning your body through a chiropractic adjustment, you may notice that you feel more grounded, centered and intentional. Long term, you may feel a better understanding of how your mind and body work together, so you can continue to stay grounded physically and emotionally.
Supports your musculoskeletal health to improve your occupational health
If you work in a health care, manufacturing, transportation or child care role, you're intimately familiar with the demands these jobs put on your body. To protect your long-term occupational health and overall physical wellness, taking care of your musculoskeletal health is critical. Regular chiropractic care has the potential to help maintain musculoskeletal balance and joint health, so you can continue to adapt and perform your occupational responsibilities.
Calms the nervous system
Your autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion and hormone regulation. When the sympathetic division of the ANS becomes heightened, it can be difficult for your body to shift into a state of rest and recovery, causing you to remain stuck in "fight-or-flight" mode. Chiropractic care may help alleviate physical tension and lower your stress levels, which has the potential to calm your nervous system, leading to a more restful state and improved sleep and mood.
Manages pain to improve productivity
Staying productive is difficult when you're in pain because the discomfort distracts you from locking in. Receiving chiropractic care may help reduce the physical and mental drain caused by chronic discomfort so you can stay focused and engaged in your daily life and accomplish your goals.
Supports emotional balance, soothing irritability and stress
If you experience chronic discomfort or pain, it can wear on your emotional balance. Without a balanced emotional state, you may find that you're quicker to irritation and frustration with yourself and those around you. Because chiropractic care may help decrease pain levels and improve movement, it's possible to support your emotional well-being so you can move through the world with patience and clarity.
Understanding the mind-body connection and caring for both can set you on the right path to achieve your wellness goals for this year. To learn more about how chiropractic care may help improve the state of your body and mind, and find a chiropractic professional near you, visit TheJoint.com.