Which of the following is a mind-body practice?

• A. Massage therapy
• B. Meditation
• C. Herbal supplement
• D. Physical therapy

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is using mental focus to influence body function. Meditation does this by training the mind to calm the stream of thoughts, bring attention to the present moment, and activate the body’s relaxation response. When practiced regularly, meditation can lower stress and anxiety, reduce perceived pain, improve sleep, and promote a sense of overall well-being, illustrating how mental processes can harmonize with physical states.

Massage therapy centers on physically manipulating soft tissues to relieve tension and improve circulation. While it promotes relaxation, it’s classified as a hands-on therapy rather than a deliberate mind–body technique that uses sustained mental focus to alter physiological responses.

Herbal supplements deliver chemical agents through ingestion and rely on pharmacologic effects to influence health, not on mind-directed regulation of the body’s systems.

Physical therapy emphasizes restoring function through movement and exercise, not through consciously directing the mind to modulate bodily processes.

So the option that exemplifies a mind-body practice is meditation, because it intentionally engages mental focus to influence physical functioning and well-being.