It has been documented that thoughts and emotions have a powerful influence over our physical health. There was an interesting study conducted at UCLA in the early 1990s where 14 professional actors were recruited to study the effects of emotion on the immune system. During the study, the actors were told which mood state they would be experiencing.
They then read the appropriate scenario, which was about 100 words long, and were told to create and experience a realistic mood by developing the scene and verbally and behaviorally acting it out while seated. Actors were encouraged to use their own personal memories to intensify the experience. Once the actors were in a particular emotional state, the researchers drew blood to measure any physical changes that may be associated with particular emotional states. What they found surprised everyone. Simply by shifting from one emotional state to another, the actors could stimulate or suppress their immune function. Subsequent studies have measured all kinds of physical changes that result from emotional states, such as changes in hormone levels, brain chemistry, blood sugar levels, even the ability to heal properly. In fact, the mind-body connection is so strong that an entire field of science has emerged called psychoneuroimmunology.
More and more scientific studies are published on a daily basis proving the idea that thoughts and emotions have a powerful influence over our physical health. This is one of the reasons why people are much more likely to get sick during job changes, holidays and other stressful times; or why people who are depressed have a much higher risk of developing cancer. How can emotions affect our immunity or resistance to disease? Research shows that the brain can release hormones and other chemicals that affect white blood cells and other parts of the immune system. Though the chemicals also have other functions, they are a link between our thoughts and our ability to resist diseases.For example, when people react to stresses with fear, their brains send a "danger" message to the body. Hormones are released to raise blood pressure and prepare muscles for quick action, as if to fight or flee from danger. The stress hormones also depress the disease-resistance system, and over time, can damage the brain, heart and digestive tract.Thoughts can cause physical abnormalities such as ulcers, indigestion, nervousness and high blood pressure. Thoughts can also depress the immune system, which leads to a wide variety of diseases. Whether a person experiences poor health, and how soon, depends on that person's heredity, environment, diet, and behavior.
An Australian study in the late 1970s showed that when one spouse dies, the other experiences a weakened immune system. This helps explain why grieving spouses have more diseases and a higher death rate than others of similar age. Other studies have shown that heart patients who are depressed have more heart problems than happier heart patients; depression was a better predictor of problems than physical measurements were.
Cancer is more common in people who suffer a major emotional loss, repress anger and feel helpless. Cancer patients who express their emotions rather than denying them seem to recover more often. The link between emotion and cancer is so strong that some psychological tests are better predictors of cancer than physical exams are. This does not mean that everyone who has cancer or some other disease has simply thought it upon himself. There are many factors involved in disease; even the best attitude is not going to prevent ill effects from genetic malfunctions and some chemical and biological hazards. A new study shows physical proof how one of those aspects - a strong and happy marriage - can be a boon to your health. According to the study, physical wounds take much longer to heal in marriages marred by hostility and conflict than those in which couples build a more pleasurable home life.
As our thoughts and emotions have such a powerful influence over our physical health, we must take proactive steps to regain our health through healthy thinking, relaxation, and positive affirmations. Explore this section for more on how to calm your mind and improve your health.
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Neck Pain: Chiropractic Can Help
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Who hasn't had neck pain at one time or another? What's more, many of us have experienced on-going neck troubles at some point during our lives. Looking at human anatomy, it's no wonder pain strikes us so often in this vulnerable area. While the neck structure gives us an amazing range of movement with
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The Bottom Line on the Bird Flu
Category:
Newsletter Library, Illness Prevention
It’s
hard to turn on the television or listen to the radio without hearing about
the dangers of an impending pandemic of the Avian Flu (often called the ‘bird
flu’). Day after day, the media interview expert after expert who
claim that the bird flu is going to cause massive
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Get Healthy, Stay Healthy in the New Year
Category:
Newsletter Library, Healthy Tips
So, it's a New Year, which traditionally means it's time for a fresh start.
This year, why not make a resolution to improve your health? It's time
to start the self-improvement plans we've been putting off for so long.
Following these ten tips will increase your chances of living longer
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Soccer Kids Need Protection
Category:
Newsletter Library, Kid's Health
Ever since 1984, the year soccer passed baseball as the most popular team
sport in the United States, participation in this sport has skyrocketed.
With increasing numbers of children running and kicking their way down
soccer fields across America, doctors of chiropractic are urging
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Keeping Athletic Kids Healthy & Fit
Category:
Newsletter Library, Kid's Health
In today's age of health and fitness, more and more kids are involved
in sporting activities. Although being part of a football, soccer or Little
League team is an important rite of passage for many kids, parents and
their children could be overlooking the importance of proper nutrition
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Today's Fashion Can Be Tomorrow's Pain
Category:
Newsletter Library, Injury Rehab & Prevention
Looking your best might not always be the best thing for you. Today's
society is extremely fashion and style conscious. Unfortunately, clothing
designers and stylists aim to please by creating unique looks that might
not always be practical or even comfortable.
The look of the season
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Travel Can Be a Pain In Your Back
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Traveling can be rough on the body. Whether you are traveling alone on businessor on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours in a caror an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore."Prolonged sitting can wreak havoc on your body," says Dr. Scott Bautch, immediate past president
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Prepare for Winter Sports Activities
Category:
Newsletter Library, Exercise & Fitness
When snow, ice and frigid weather blast into town, watch out, says the
American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Winter recreational activities
and chores can pose problems for the outdoor enthusiast whose body is not
in condition. Winter sports like skating, skiing and sledding can
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Surviving the Holidays
Category:
Newsletter Library, Healthy Tips
The day after Thanksgiving is a milestone of sorts in America. It reminds
us of just how quickly the year has gone by— and how close we are
to the holiday season. This realization— coupled with the fabulous
sales at major department stores and malls everywhere— helps make
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Don't Let Housework Be a Pain in Your Back
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Household
chores can be a pain in the sacroiliac. Unless you're careful, routine
activities around the home— washing dishes, vacuuming, even talking
on the phone— can strain your back, including the sacroiliac area
near the tailbone, and result in debilitating discomfort.
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