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The mind-body connection is real

June 15th, 2017

The Mind-Body Connection is real.  It probably comes as no surprise to us that emotions affect your health.

Many have considered the connection between our mental and physical health. Until the 1800s, most believed that emotions were linked to disease and advised patients to visit spas or seaside resorts when they were ill.  Gradually emotions lost favor as other causes of illness, such as bacteria or toxins, emerged, and new treatments such as antibiotics cured illness after illness.

More recently, scientists have speculated that even behavioral disorders, such as autism, have a biological basis. They’ve also been rediscovering the links between stress and health.  Now we realize that there is a powerful mind-body connection through which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect our health.  https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/winter08/articles/winter08pg4.html

People who have good emotional health are aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.  They have learned healthy ways to cope with the stress and problems that are a normal part of life.  They feel good about themselves and have healthy relationships.

However, many things that happen in your life can disrupt your emotional health. These can lead to strong feelings of sadness, stress, or anxiety. Even good or wanted changes can be as stressful as unwanted changes. These things include: moving, having a family, changing job, getting married.

One type of mind-body connection is the way your body responds to how you think, feel and act.  When you are stressed, anxious, or upset, your body may react by developing high blood pressure, a skin rash or a stomach ulcer.  https://familydoctor.org/mindbody-connection-how-your-emotions-affect-your-health/

Coping mechanisms to promote health and deal with stress include: a social network, mediation, exercise, yoga, stretching, hypnosis, relaxation and breathing deeply.  It is important to take good care of yourself as well; eat healthy, get enough sleep, get regular adjustments, stay active.