When we discuss physical health, we associate it with pain. Pain does not always mean damage; our bodies are innately designed for natural healing. Therefore, we can often trust that our bodies know what they’re doing. Ultimately, pain is an alert system to protect ourselves from threat and danger. Pain is unique to each individual, as our backgrounds and perceptions vary.‌
Let’s simplify pain science – When the “communicators” in our bodies detect any threat or danger that could harm us, they send a message to our brain via the spinal cord. This is an extremely quick process, allowing us to respond to the situation – either by staying or escaping. However, the decision in response to these “danger” or “threat” very much depends on our previous experiences, both physically and mentally.
For example, if you were once bitten by a snake on a pavement, walking on the same pavement can trigger protective behaviour due to your previous experience. This may involve running down the pavement as fast as you can, getting goosebumps, or feeling dizzy when walking on the pavement. However, if you stumbled upon bushes of pretty flowers on this pavement in the past, you would feel relaxed walking on it, and the thought alone might even make you smile.
However, we can change our perspective, thereby changing our behaviour and physical experience. Returning to the scenario where you were bitten by a snake on the pavement, instead of thinking, “This is absolutely the unluckiest day ever!”, you might think “Okay, this is inevitable, let’s deal with it and feel better”. The differences in these mindsets alter the way we perceive the experience, hence changing our physical and mental response to the situation. Doesn’t this show the link between your personal physical experience, behaviour towards a “threat” and perception?
