Mind-Body Wellness: A Science-Based Approach

The idea that the mind and the body work together to create human well-being is no longer at the fringes of academia. Evidence-based courses in mind-body wellness typically explore how physical and emotional wellbeing are related to biological, psychological, sociocultural, economic, and spiritual factors, as well as the ways in which our beliefs about the relationship of mind and body relate to how we view health and illness. Research points to a dynamic interconnectivity of mind and body processes that can support human wellness and can be a point of intervention for practices that improve wellbeing. Mind-Body Wellness: A Science-Based Approach begins with an overview of what mind-body interconnectivity means, approaches to defining wellness, and philosophical and practical approaches to mind-body wellness. Subsequent chapters address foundational topics in the field, including theories of behavior change, stress and wellness, mind-body practices, environmental wellness, and relationship wellness. The book ends with consideration of how mind-body wellness can not only impact our personal wellbeing, but also societal wellbeing.

Susan Henney, Ph.D., is Professor of Health and Behavior Science and Coordinator of the Health and Behavioral Sciences degree at the University of Houston-Downtown. She is a research and developmental psychologist who holds a Ph.D. (2000) from the University of Texas. She teaches in the areas of mind/body wellness, personality psychology, case management, and patient advocacy and is an advocate for comprehensive student wellness. Dr. Henney’s research focuses on mind-body wellness, volunteerism, and popular culture.

Justin Hackett, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Art Therapy at Pennsylvania Western University. He is a social psychologist who holds a Ph.D. (2010) from Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Hackett teaches courses in social psychology, cultural psychology, and human rights. His research focuses on mind-body wellness and global identification. He is team member with the Identification With All Humanity Lab – an international research team consisting of social, political, cognitive, personality, and cross-cultural psychologists working on topics related to identification with all humanity. (https://iwahlab.com).