Archive for SEEKERS DOOR Psychic Development School
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Have you ever experienced a headache at the end of a very stressful day? Had a sick feeling in your stomach before an interview, exam or important meeting? Felt your heart race while watching a scary movie or after hearing bad news? In a similar way, long-term negative states of mind (low self-esteem, pessimism, etc.) may profoundly affect the body's vitality.
The mind and the body are one, work together as a whole, and constantly interact with and influence each other. This is not a new idea. Hippocrates, often referred to as the Father of Western medicine, believed that health depends on a balance of the mind, body and environment, while disease can be caused by imbalances.
The mind/body connection is the link between mental attitudes and their effect on a person's health. Defining where the mind ends and the body begins is impossible. This connection has been recognized by many cultures for centuries. In Chinese medicine, for example, it is believed that certain organs of the body represent various mental and emotional conditions. Therefore, the treatment will also consider a person's psychological state - what was happening in their life when symptoms began.
Western medicine prefers to have scientific data proving the existence of the mind/body connection and how it functions. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a relatively new scientific field which studies chemical relationships between the nervous, endocrine (hormonal) and immune systems. The nervous system consists of the brain and the nerves which run throughout the body. This system sends information from the brain to the body and vice versa using chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.
The discovery of nerve endings in the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and bone marrow (all essential components of the immune system) demonstrates the connection between the nervous and immune systems. Endocrine glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid and adrenals, are directly activated by the brain to release different hormones into the body.
Neuroscientist Candace Pert believes that our emotions exist in concrete biological forms called peptides. Her research shows that emotions are made in the cells of the brain and body with chemicals. These chemicals bind to specific receptor sites on the cells and transmit information. Nerve impulses traveling across cell membranes pick up changes and produce corresponding changes in mood and physiological activity. Therefore, depending on our emotional state (sad, happy, angry) different peptides are released and different messages are sent throughout the body. Receptor sites for these molecules of emotions are also found on immune cells, which would explain how and why our health is affected by emotions.
Research indicates that negative attitudes, emotions and stress are linked to the physical body via the nervous system and influence immune function and organ and tissue vitality.
It is the brain that recognizes a "stressor" and activates the body's 'fight or flight' system by releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol into the body. This surplus of hormones increases the heart rate and causes blood levels of glucose to rise quickly - both responses needed to fight or run from a threat. When the danger passes hormone levels return to normal.
In modern times this response is rarely needed in everyday life. However, the body reacts in the same way, producing the same physical changes when it experiences any type of stress, including job pressures, relationship problems or negative thoughts and feelings. Stress is part of life and to the body - stress is stress - whether it comes from an external factor (noise, pollution, environmental changes) or whether it is internally generated.
Positive stress, called eustress (working on a challenging and interesting project or falling in love) keeps us alert and inspires creativity and growth of the human spirit. Negative stress - distress - is the kind that compromises our internal balance and health. The effect stress will have on the body ultimately depends on individual perception. Imagine you are on a roller coaster ride. If you're terrified - distressed - your body responds by producing stress hormones. On the other hand, if you feel exhilarated your body reacts by producing powerful immune stimulators such as interleukins and interferons.
Learning to turn stress off is important to quality of life. The key to relieving stress is to express feelings; let them go. Think of emotions as energy in motion. Keep the "molecules of emotion" moving and allow them to flow freely through your body.
Different healing therapies such as holistic counselling, energy work and bach flower remedies can be helpful. Physical exercise is a great way to release negative feelings. Share your feelings with another person or write down your thoughts in a personal journal. Laugh often, love more. Add more fun to your life by doing things you enjoy and finding joy in what you do.
Headaches, muscle pain, digestive problems and fatigue are just a few indicators of a stressed and tense body. Many people who feel stressed may lie down on the couch, turn the television on and perhaps have one or two alcoholic drinks at the end of the day. However, this type of relaxation is physical inactivity combined with the body's reaction to what it sees on TV (remember the mind doesn't know the difference between what is real and what is imagined) and doesn't provide therapeutic benefits.
True relaxation is healing to the body, producing helpful chemicals and boosting the immune system. Studies suggest that we can change the way we react to stress. Work with your mind to create and maintain total well-being. Consider trying a therapy which induces the 'relaxation response' - meditation, visualization, breath therapy, yoga, massage or reflexology are just a few.
Visualization, also called guided imagery, is the conscious use of imagination to create a sense of well-being and bring about positive changes. A relaxed mind is more receptive to concepts and ideas that allow the creation of new thought and energy patterns.
Breath therapy works on the premise that breathing plays a central role in the body and mind. People under stress tend to breathe rapidly and shallowly. Low and deep breathing has been shown to reduce stress and induce the relaxation response. In yoga, there is the science of breathing techniques known as the pranayama, which promotes health. Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine consider the breath to be the most important metabolic function. Breath therapy is often used in conjunction with meditation and other mind/body techniques.
There are many forms of meditation but they all have the same goal - which is to calm and focus the mind. Beginners may find it hard at first to clear the mind of thoughts and worries but when performed on a regular basis it becomes easier. It is an efficient way to promote the relaxation response and can be used to ease the discomfort of many health problems, including chronic pain, tension headaches and asthma.
Meditation involves sitting or lying in a comfortable position and concentrating on the breath or perhaps an object such as a flower or candle flame. The idea is to concentrate deeply in order to calm the thoughts that typically fill the mind. There are many self-help books and audio tapes for people who are interested in trying some of these techniques on their own.
Mind and body are one and the same. Nothing is separate. Whatever is experienced in one becomes part of the whole. All types of complementary health care approaches are based on this premise and scientific research has been able to provide some solid evidence for it.
While perhaps it is too simplistic to believe that all illnesses have their basis in emotions, it is realistic to believe that they can positively or negatively influence our health. Diet, lifestyle choices, the way we perceive and cope with stress, negative and positive emotions, the way we interact with others and the environment, our genetic makeup - are all factors involved in the health of mind and body.
