In her book, Maja Storch explores why and how the psyche resides in the body. Wolfgang Tschacher explains why separating the mind from the body cannot work. Gerald Hüther describes how a well-functioning brain and a well-functioning body are mutually dependent. Benita Cantieni offers a pragmatic approach: reclaiming the body.

Sit up straight. Get comfortable in your body.

“A person’s outward demeanor reflects their inner state of mind. Strong emotions don’t just play out in the mind; they also become evident on a physical level. An athlete throws their arms up in the air in joy at their victory. A child whose mother buys them the toy they’ve been longing for hops up and down with excitement. And soccer fans—whether in the stadium or in their living room—can’t stay in their seats when a goal is finally scored. But negative emotions such as sadness, frustration, and anger also find their way to the surface—in drooping corners of the mouth and worry lines. A person’s body language is shaped by what is going on inside them. The transition between thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations is fluid. Many idioms articulate this connection: “to hang one’s head,” “to get a punch in the gut,” to be “haughty,” or to be “crushed.” Conversely, a typical posture also shapes a person’s inner attitudes and values. Someone who constantly makes themselves appear smaller than they actually are by hunching their shoulders forward may thereby foster a persistently gloomy mood. There is an interaction between the body and one’s mental state that is closely intertwined and interconnected. Thus, the way someone sits or stands influences how they process information.” (Source: Institute for Self-Management and Motivation https://www.ismz.ch)