In “The Body is the Brain,” neurobiologist Amanda Blake explains how our entire nervous system functions as a single whole, debunking the myth of separate parts existing in a clearly defined hierarchy with the brain ruling from on high, and the body taking an inferior, passive role.

The body serves two vital functions in relation to the mind: window and back door.  

First, the body acts as a window into our unconscious thoughts—those subtle, preverbal impressions that stir in our gut are clues to deeply held beliefs. This is why I often discover what I truly think about something only after noticing what I feel about it. Feelings, those elegant physiological responses produced by emotions, are a fountain of information, constantly unearthing the many parts of ourselves. They’re a treasure trove of insight and self-awareness. If we’re willing to look and be curious. 

Second, the body is a back door. When a moment of emotional activation catapults me into a destructive loop of angry or fearful thoughts, the direct approach requires herculean effort. The energy required to think our way out of such intense thought patterns typically exceeds our mental resources. Thankfully, we don’t have to think our way out. We can feel our way out by approaching it indirectly. Go for a walk, take a shower, do the dishes, or do heart-focused breathing (see the HeartMath Institute). Redirect the body first, then redirect thoughts. It’s easier, faster, and more effective than traditional cognitive approaches.

These two vital functions of the body—window and back door—are critical components of self-leadership and self-coaching; core competencies of transformational leadership. Cultivate skill in noticing and redirecting.