The mind is a complicated body machine that can not be imagined. Research has shown that it weighs about 1.5-kilo grams and that it has more than 50 billion connections to the body through nerve endings and nerve cells. The brain is not independent but it works together with other parts that are directly connected to it to come up with a decision. Even though the brain can think of things it can not accomplish on its own it has to coordinate with other parts to accomplish its work. Though learning takes place in the mind, the mind does not work alone it has to work together with other parts of the body for the complete learning to take place. The connection between the body and the mind during the learning process remains to be a question to many. (Thinking with pictures 2009).
For the brain to work out and accomplish many of the things that take place in the body certain things play a great role in its functioning. These factors are senses that include “taste, smell, hearing, seeing and touch.” We should also know that our ideas and knowledge are patterns of connections. These patterns and ideas are what we call knowledge and knowledge results from learning. Learning can be said to be the process by which ideas are connected in the brain to come up with meaningful ideas, this is what makes up the learning process. (Palombo 2009).
There are different ways in which learning can take place, for instance, it can be through visual thinking. This is a process whereby you see something and you think through what you have seen, through this learning takes place in a person’s mind. Researchers believe that this is the most powerful way of learning. There is a relationship and strong connection between the learning process, what one learns, and what one can remember. You can not remember something you haven’t learned. This relationship shows the interconnection which is there between senses which represent the whole body. This is because it accrues all the parts that form up the senses that are there in the body. At this point, we can now consider the process of learning. There are four essential learning skills; creating an interest in the subject being studied, sustaining concentration, organizing information, and constructing memorable new meaning. These learning skills represent the different senses that are there in the body and that help in the learning process. (Rosenkranz, 2003).
The body and mind work together in such a way that the mind coordinates the body to listen and be attentive to the learning process, after the process of learning they play role in solving the problems that arise and remembering them in the future. Brain operations form up a psychological state within a person, the psychological position of our minds is what supports the mental efforts that take place in the mind. Also, movement and exercises that we are engaged in helping to ensure that there is maximum learning taking place. (Palombo 2009) When we are emotionally at peace, our brains will function well and for a long time without problems. Whenever we think, the whole body has participated in a way. (Palombo 2009).
How does the body participate in thinking? To start with, the brain is made up of neurons, these neurons have receptors, and the receptors extend to the other parts of the body, with we can conclude that there is a physical body-mind connection. In addition to this, the neurons are made of proteins that we ingest into our bodies. Transmission of information from the brain to other parts of the body takes place through chemical transfer that is done through neurotransmitters that are carried out from one cell to the other in and outside the brain. (Ray, 2004).
The brain is also connected to the heart. Research shows that some of the neurons are made in places outside the brain. Some of the neurochemicals produced in the heart are epinephrine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin. The pulse produces waves that are usually engaged in carrying information from the heart to the other parts of the body including the brain. (Ray, 2004).
The organ of the learning-the brain- has to be fed. It gets hungry like any other part of the body and eating is the most powerful stimulant that affects it. The functioning of the brain will be affected by what we eat and when we eat and because of the kind of work, it performs it calls for high consumption of glucose. When we eat early in the day or while our bodies are still at work, food will be digested before we sleep, this means that important nutrients will be transported to the brain and other parts of the body where they are used to work rather than be deposited as fat. In short, the brain is active in a well-fed person. (Rosenkranz, 2003).
Carrying out activities is important since it helps to function the body and the brain. Research shows that apart from reducing the risk of heart attack, heap fracture, blood pressure, colon cancer, and lowering body weight, body exercise also increases the flow of blood to the brain which enhances its wellbeing and functioning. This affects the thought process, for instance, in activities like standing up and stretching after a period of mental hard work the mind gets an opportunity of getting refreshed. Physical activity helps the brain in various ways including; increased blood and oxygen flow to the brain, development of capillaries, and the release of transmitters that help sustain attention and the ability to concentrate. Through body exercise, our memory is sharpened, and our ability to sustain new information is increased. The brain has to be challenged for it to remain fit.
Mental exercises such as crossword puzzles, playing chess, and learning a new language, help the brain to be flexible. This is why in a classroom situation, the teacher should ensure that students move, breathe and love. (Learning and development 2008).
Meditation and prayer which are common actions bring a state of relaxation, which is both physically and mentally beneficial. Feelings of the body affect how the brain works. A sense of accomplishment, control, and purpose nourishes our brains and makes them plastic. (Thinking with pictures, 2009).
All the above are examples of body activities that affect the brain hence affecting the learning process. The brain has a physical connection with all the body organs implying that it cannot work effectively when one organ is not functioning. It has to be fed like any other part of the body, it has to be exercised, needs rest, and peace, and every other thing that the body organs require.
Reference
Learning and development, (2008). Web.
Polombo, W.R. (2009). The mind- Body connection in learning. Web.
Ray O. How the mind hurts and heals the body. 2004; Vol. 59(1): pg 29-40.
Rosenkranz, et al, (2003) Affective style and in vivo immune response: Neurobehavioral mechanisms. Proc Natl Acad Sci, U.S.A.
Thinking with pictures (2009). Web.