Mind-body medicine

Abstract

Mind-body-based practices include a wide range of activities such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, guided imagery, prayer, journaling, and art therapy. These therapies consist of various techniques designed to enhance the positive influence of the mind on the body through behavioral, psychological, social, artistic, and spiritual approaches. They are based on an understanding of physical, mental, and psychological integrity. Different evidence-based studies have shown that these practices improve people's physical and mental health. They offer significant benefits in controlling symptoms associated with cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, and respiratory diseases. The fact that these therapies are non-pharmacological approaches that are generally easy to use and have almost no side effects makes them a preferred tool in patient care. After appropriate training, nurses can use these therapies to treat both the physical and psychological symptoms of many diseases. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.