The body healing phenomenon: learning, teaching and living through a pandemic

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21100/compass.v14i2.1206

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions will likely have had an impact on your daily rituals and routines. Reduced opportunities for much needed collaboration and socialisation may have left you feeling lethargic or overwhelmed (Lavie et al., 2021); it is widely recognised that the issues the pandemic has brought will heighten emotional distress as well as increase risk for psychiatric illness (Pfefferbaum and North, 2020). Whether you are an educator, student, or both, there will have been effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on your practice and performance. In this opinion piece, the phenomenon of body healing is discussed, prompting consideration of this ability to help take back control of our own minds, health and general wellbeing. 

Author Biographies

Poppy Frances Gibson, University of Greenwich

Poppy Gibson is a senior lecturer in Primary Education in the Teacher Education Department, who has come into HE after over a decade working in several London primary schools. Poppy is the programme lead of the University of Greenwich's Accelerated BA (Hons) degree programme in Primary Education Studies  and is the Modern Foreign Language coordinator, teaching MFL on the PGCE and BA QTS programmes. Key research interests include identity, the role of technology in our lives, and improving mental health and wellbeing.

Amber Bale, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Amber Bale is a Cross Sectional Imaging Radiographer. Amber's key interests include psychology and body healing through the use of alternative therapies.

References

Alvarez, A.J. (2020) ‘The phenomenon of learning at a distance through emergency remote teaching amidst the pandemic crisis.’ Asian Journal of Distance Education, 15(1), 127-143. Available at: http://asianjde.org/ojs/index.php/AsianJDE/article/view/453 (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Francis, E.A. (2020) Whole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic & Spiritual Wellness. Minnesota: Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN: 0738762180

Huberty, J.L., Green, J., Puzia, M.E., Larkey, L., Laird, B., Vranceanu, A.M., Vlisides-Henry, R. and Irwin, M.R. (2021) ‘Testing a mindfulness meditation mobile app for the treatment of sleep-related symptoms in adults with sleep disturbance: A randomized controlled trial.’ Plos one, 16(1), p.e0244717. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0244717 (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Karadag, E., Samancioglu, S., Ozden, D. and Bakir, E. (2017) ‘Effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality and anxiety of patients. Nursing in critical care.’ 22(2), 105-112. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26211735/ (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Kaufman J. (2018) ‘Nature, mind, and medicine: A model for mind-body healing.’ Explore, 14(4). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29891437/ (Accessed 12 February 2021).

Koithan, M, (2009) ‘The Inner Healer: mind-body strategies for health.’ The journal for nurse practitioners: JNP, 374-375. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2754856/ (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Lavie, I., Steiner, A. and Sfard, A. (2019) ‘Routines we live by: from ritual to exploration.’ Educational Studies in Mathematics, 101(2), 153-176. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10649-018-9817-4 (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Malchiodi, C.A. (2020) Trauma and expressive arts therapy: Brain, body, and imagination in the healing process. New York City: Guilford Publications. ISBN: 9781462543113

McCabe, G. (2008) ‘Mind, body, emotions and spirit: Reaching to the ancestors for healing.’ Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 21(2), 143-152. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09515070802066847 (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Mishra, L., Gupta, T. and Shree, A. (2020) ‘Online teaching-learning in higher education during lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic.’ International Journal of Educational Research Open, 1, 100012. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666374020300121 (Accessed: 11 February 2021).

Oki, O., Shah, S., Scrivens, L. and Guckian, J. (2021) ‘COVIDâ€19: Challenges and solutions for the future of UK dermatology undergraduate curriculum delivery.’ Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 46(1), 171-173. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ced.14386 (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Pfefferbaum, B. and North, C.S. (2020) ‘Mental health and the Covid-19 pandemic.’ New England Journal of Medicine, 383(6), 510-512. Available at: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2008017 (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Rasweswe, M.M., Mogale, R.S., Musie, M.R. and Rikhotso, R. (2021) ‘Re-defining holistic healing: from transdisciplinary perspectives in South Africa.’ European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 101300. Available at: https://www.x-mol.com/paper/1354517446223339520 (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Richardson, M., Passmore, H.A., Lumber, R., Thomas, R. and Hunt, A. (2021) ‘Moments, not minutes: The nature-wellbeing relationship.’ International Journal of Wellbeing, 11(1). Available at: https://www.internationjournalofwellbeing.org (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Saumaa, H. (2021) ‘Dance, Somatics, and Self-Care.’ Alternative and Complementary Therapies. Available at: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/act.2020.29311.hsa (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J., Wheeler, B., Hartig, T., Warber, S.L., Bone, A., Depledge, M.H. and Fleming, L.E. (2019) ‘Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing.’ Scientific Reports 9, 7730. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3 (Accessed: 12 February 2021).

Wolf C.R. (2020) ‘Virtual platforms are helpful tools but can add to our stress.’ Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-desk-the-mental-health-lawyer/202005/virtual-platforms-are-helpful-tools-can-add-our-stress (Accessed: 24 March 2021).

Headspace (2021) ‘Five Minute Meditation.’ Available at: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/5-minute-meditation (Accessed: 24 March 2021).

Downloads

Published

07/13/2021

Issue

Section

Opinion Pieces