Mental Health, Consciousness, and the Body

Our mental health can being challenged in many ways, especially currently. What happens to our mind can impact our body and vice versa. They are inextricably connected – they are one. Thomas Verny, MD, DPsych, gives simple and effective ways to stay well and balanced. He is an inspiration as he is still working and enjoying life, well into his 80’s.

Thomas Verny, MD, DPsych, is a psychiatrist who founded the Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health and served as its president for eight years. He is associate editor of the Journal of Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health and is author of Inside Groups: A Practical Guide to Encounter Groups and Group Therapy, The Secret Life of the Unborn Child, with John Kelly, Pre-And Peri-Natal Psychology: An Introduction, Parenting Your Unborn Child, Nurturing The Unborn Child with Pamela Weintraub, Gifts Of Our Fathers: Heartfelt Remembrances of Fathers and Grandfathers, Tomorrow’s Baby: The Art and Science of Parenting from Conception through Infancy, Pre-Parenting: Nurturing your Child from Conception, and The Embodied Mind: Understanding the Mysteries of Cellular Memory, Consciousness, and Our Bodies. His website is trvernymd.com.

Dr. Verny provides several suggestions on how to have a healthy mind and body. The term psychosomatic often refers to the psyche affecting the body. He demonstrates that the body also affects the mind. To have good mental health the body must be taken care of, as well. He suggests being honest with yourself about how your life and relationships are functioning. The people you surround yourself with can positively or negatively impact you. Genes are not your destiny. You can influence your epigenome through healthy habits, routines, and environment.