How the Mind Heals the Body: Lessons from Dr. David R. Hamilton
What we learnt at his Nottingham talk about the mind–body connection and self-healing.
This week we had the privilege of attending Dr. David R. Hamilton Ph.D.’s inspiring talk, “How The Mind Heals The Body”, in Nottingham. What an incredible experience!
Dr. Hamilton has a gift for blending science with heart, showing how the power of the mind can complement conventional medicine and help us on our journey to healing.
The Power of Visualisation
One of the most fascinating takeaways from his talk was the role of visualisation techniques. By vividly imagining ourselves healing, exercising, or even watching others train, our brains begin to respond as though it were real. Research shows that the brain cannot always distinguish between imagination and reality - so when we visualise movement or health, our bodies can begin to adapt in that direction.
Dr. Hamilton shared numerous studies from universities around the world that confirm this remarkable link between mind and body. It was uplifting to hear how science is now catching up with what many people have intuitively felt for years - “our thoughts influence our wellbeing”.
Kindness as Medicine
In David's book “It’s the Thought that Counts”, he reminds us that something as simple as a kind word can be “music to the ears,” offering comfort and connection. These small moments of kindness don’t just lift our spirits—they can have a tangible, positive effect on our health. It made us think of all the times a kind word has lifted us up when we needed it most.
Dance yourself Dizzy
A song by Liquid Gold, but also something that David likes to do as he demonstrated his “silly dance” moves. Performing an energetic dance, in private, (or public if you are brave enough) until it puts a smile on your face, lifts you out of depression and makes you feel happier. Try it for yourselves, see how it makes you feel!
Blending Science and Soul
What we loved most was the balance in his approach. Dr. Hamilton doesn’t suggest abandoning medical treatments. Instead, he shows how we can combine visualisation, positive thought, and kindness with conventional medicine to create a holistic path toward healing.
We left the talk feeling inspired and empowered, reminded of how much influence our mindset and actions have on our health - and how powerful it can be to cultivate positivity, kindness, and belief in the body’s innate ability to heal.
For us, the first thing we’re going to try is setting aside ten minutes each day to visualise ourselves feeling stronger and healthier. We’re also going to make a conscious effort to share more kind words with the people around us - it costs nothing, but if it can brighten someone’s day and even support their health.
If you get the chance to go and see him, then we would definitely recommend it.
