How Thoughts, Emotional Health Affects Physical Health

Did you know, for example, that the heart speeds up without any physical activity when we are stressed out? This can lead to heart attack and a higher overall resting heart rate, which could lead to earlier death.

Furthermore, it isn’t just the foods you eat that can lead to elevated levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol. If you have a positive, upbeat outlook, you will more than likely experience lowered cholesterol levels and better heart health.

If you are depressed, is it the world outside of you causing your depression, or the thoughts you most consistently think? The  pharmaceutical companies, who bring you anti-depressant drugs like Paxil and Prozac, actually cause an imbalance in natural happy-hormones your brain makes to keep you feeling fine. They want you to keep buying those drugs, but you be surprised to figure out that these pharmaceutical solutions often lead to suicidal thoughts and behavior on their own. It’s actually the way you think that is the true factor in how you emotionally feel, and subsequently how healthy you feel.

It turns out that emotions like jealousy, rage, anger, fear, criticalness, mistrust, revenge, etc. are very bad for your health. Reducing negative self-talk can actually lower your stress, and stress has been linked to innumerable forms of disease. Stress causes everything from cancer, to AIDS/HIV, auto-immune disorders, cardiovascular disease and depression, just to name a few.

It doesn’t mean that just because we experience a traumatic event, that we can’t experience the emotions that go along with that, but it does mean that if we have a positive outlook, we are more likely to go back to a base-line reading of a healthy person rather than ruminating on fear, anger, sadness, etc.

Dr. Cohen, the Robert E. Doherty Professor of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon, says, “The majority of people confronted with even traumatic events remain disease-free. Stress increases your risk of developing disease, but it doesn’t mean that just because you are exposed to stressful events, you are going to get sick.”

The truth is though, that the less we worry, the healthier we will be.

The Problem with Pain Medications, and Natural Alternatives

Experts say too many people are getting on a vicious cycle—popping pills at the first sign of a headache and then experiencing more headaches from the pills themselves, sending them back to the pill bottle again and again. This is sad news for individuals partaking in the pill ingestion, as both prescription and non-prescriptions painkillers have been linked to numerous negative health effects.

Health watchdog NICE says that doctors might not be prescribing the pain medications properly or diagnosing the condition they call medication overuse headache. This is where the medication actually makes the brain more sensitive to pain and more prone to headaches.

So, a reoccurring tension headache or migraine treated with a pain pill could create more and more of the same headaches. All of this is happening while natural home remedies for headaches rest without being noted. And these treatments aren’t accompanied by the nasty side-effects that medications induce.

NICE says many of these headache sufferers could find relief from a different class of drugs like triptans, inhaling oxygen, or possibly even acupuncture. Another class of drugs doesn’t sound like a great solutions, but acupuncture could work. After all, research involving 18,000 people has shown that acupuncture for pain is truly effective.

They say some patients have become so overcome with pain they are asking their doctors to perform brain scans or other diagnostics in order to rule out things like brain tumors, not realizing their source of relief is actually the source of their pain.

A study published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine defines medication overuse headache as a headache that occurs on 15 or more days per month for at least 3 consecutive months. They say it is most common when the patient uses butalbital or opiods for pain relief.

They recommend relaxation therapy, biofeedback, and cognitive behavioral therapy as potential alternatives and as a method to wean the patient off of the medications causing the pain.

Another option is to use herbal remedies for headaches such as lemongrass. Lemongrass, when made into a tea, has been shown to have numerous benefits, with headache relief being one of the most prominent. (For instructions on making your own lemongrass tea, click the link just above).

Headache sufferers can also find relief from drinking more water, and using essential oils like peppermint and lavender. Massage and other methods of relaxation can further reduce muscle tension that leads to headaches.

“It sounds old-fashioned,” admits Kathleen Wright, a textbook publisher, “when you put forth the argument that you lose connection with the past. But then there’s also that scientific aspect of it. We don’t know what’s going to happen later on if you don’t teach children how to write on paper or how to write cursive.”

While there are undoubtedly benefits to teaching children typing skills, the shrinking time spent on cursive and even handwriting in school classrooms may have negative effects on children’s development. Cursive writing especially seems to have a unique, positive impact on brain development. Even adults have much to gain from setting pen to paper.

But What Makes Writing So Different from Typing?

The answer is fairly simple: it takes more brain power. Writing combines three brain processes and more strenuously exercises the brain.

• Visual: Seeing the writing.

• Motor: Using fine motor skills to move the pen or pencil against the paper to produce letters, characters, words, and sentences.

• Cognitive/perceptive: Drawing on memory to reproduce letters and form new ones.

Indiana University psychology professor Karin James put twelve four- and five-year olds into two groups, scanning their brains before and after either being taught to visually recognize letters or being taught to write letters. The children who wrote rather than simply remembering the letters had enormous activity spikes in the brain. Results were similar in a Japanese study at Chiba University by M. Naka, who found that first, third, and fifth grade Japanese children better learned pseudologographic characters and foreign letters better by writing than by looking only.

Health writers over at FYI Living summarized original peer-reviewed research and concluded that, because of the more strenuous motor skills involved in laboriously shaping a letter (as opposed to singular strikes to the keyboard), the integrative process itself improves brain function, composition and expression, and further attunement of fine motor skills.

When it comes to the brain, you can use it or lose it. Studies like M. J. Valenzuela’s at the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney show that those of us who are more mentally active throughout our lives lower our risk of dementia and related diseases. Like our bodies, our minds too need regular exercise.

Additional Sources:

Wall Street Journal

Huffington Post

Stress has been known to cause virtually every problem in existence. When people are under stress, health conditions arise, the mind if hazed, and poor actions are taken guided by the tension. When feeling this way, it is important to know that the temporary perceptions to experience and the decision you make are not fully real – that is, they would be different had the stress not come into your life.

There are many ways to cope with stress and reduce it’s effects on the mind and body. Here are 7 helpful ways.

1. Breathe

If you’re having a particularly stressful day, taking a moment to stop and breathe can help provide some relief and direction. When you take a deep, even breaths, a message is sent to your brain to relax your nervous system. Deep breathing also oxygenates your blood and increases circulation to your extremities. These things help relieve muscle tension and calm your mind.

Research suggests focusing on how you breathe at a time when you’re already relaxed, and trying to duplicate that pattern during stressful situations. If this doesn’t prove effective, practice different breathing exercises known to help relieve stress.

2. Exercise

For a multitude of reason, exercise rocks as a stress reliever. However, some people don’t realize that “relieving stress through exercise” does not mean killing yourself in the gym. A brisk walk is all it takes, so get out there!

In addition to releasing endorphins, for many the simple act of moving helps focus their mind. Recall that over the past 50 years, obesity in the United States has jumped from just over 10% to more than 35% in 2010 – and that’s just what the CDC actually reports. This increasingly sedentary lifestyle has lent to some Americans never being exposed to calming and invigorating effects of exercise.

3. Yoga

A personal fan-favorite of yours truly, yoga combines focused breathing and stretching that not only help to de-stress, but also to improve balance, circulation, and – here’s a bonus – it’s great for the whole family.

Yoga has been around in some capacity for literally thousands of years. Generally focused on spiritually well-being, it can be a great source of relieve who suffer from chronic stress. In addition to the very real and measurable results outlined above, yoga also helps greatly improve discipline. For some, it might be hard to schedule time to work out every day. Not for yoga! It’s so quick and easy anyone can incorporate it into a daily routine.

4. Eat Right

Ever heard of MSG? You might want to look into it before your next trip to China Garden. What about added sugar? The fact is, we are what we eat. Most people don’t realize how greatly sugars, hormones, excitotoxins, and other harmful chemicals can affect your brain and blood chemistry.

First step – break the cycle. Try replacing one snack per day with a healthful, GMO free vegetable like broccoli, carrots, or celery. Additionally, try replacing one sugary drink per day with two glasses of water.

5. Visualization

We call it your Happy Place for a reason, people. When you feel overloaded with stress, try to visualize a place in your mind where you feel at ease. But don’t take the name too literally! In addition to visual representations of calm, try to call forth sensations from all your senses. Relaxing scents, sounds, and even textures have been shown to help people de-stress the brain. When coupled with the breathing exercises mentioned above, going to your ‘happy place’ can provide a type of oasis from the stimuli around you in a world where such relaxing environments can be challenging to find in real life.

6. Outside, the Other Inside

Do not be as quick as some to discount the benefits of fresh air. Ask yourself, “How often do I spend more than one hour outside?” The answer might surprise you.

Even if you’re not exercising, getting out and experiencing nature can have a profound effect on the mind. Leave the tech behind too! No smartphones or tablets or laptops, just you and trusty Mother Nature. Go to a park, take a walk by a nearby body of water, visit a botanical garden, the options are endless. With all the technological stimuli around us we sometimes easily lose focus on the serenity and beauty of the natural world.

Over 6000 adults aged 50 and over were asked to assess their level of optimism on a point scale up to 16 points. After age adjustments, each point on the scale accounted for a 9 percent decrease in stroke risk. The study found that the link between optimism and reduction in stroke risk is very strong. Even when factors such as gender, blood pressure, illness, body mass index, smoking, drinking and physical activity were adjusted, the relationship between attitude and reduction of stroke risk was very clear.

Optimistic People

Optimistic people use positive thinking to deal with difficult problems in their life, big and small – and it works. Those with an optimistic attitude generally have increased resistance to illnesses such as the common cold, a reduced rate of depression, lower amounts of stress and are more energetic. This concept even holds true with old age, according a more recent study. The study, published in Psychosomatic Medicine, says that seniors who maintain a positive outlook despite increasing health problems can reduce—and even reverse—health risks.

It is thought that people who are optimistic can better cope with stress and anxiety, two big factors for overall quality of health. Previous studies have also indicated that people who are optimistic have improved immune system function and a healthier heart compared to those who are pessimistic.

Change Your Attitude

It appears that keeping a stroke and other serious health conditions at bay could be as easy as an attitude adjustment. Simple positive affirmations throughout the day may be helpful reminders of the importance of a positive state of mind. After all, we cannot always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we respond to what happens.

Additional Sources:

IB Times

LiveStrong

Participants in one food choice study were asked to fast for three or more hours. Afterward they were connected to a functional magnetic resonance imaging machine. Each study member was shown pictures of 180 food items that ranged from junk food to healthy vegetables and fruit.

After being shown the images, participants were instructed to indicate whether or not they would want to eat the food or not eat the food. Participants were given one of three instructions when making their food choices. The first option was that they were to think about the healthfulness of the food; the second option was to think about how the food would taste; and the third option was to make the decisions naturally without any focused thoughts. Each time a participant expressed a strong desire for the food, they were given the food to eat, later to be asked to rate how the foods tasted and how healthful they were.

The researchers found that those people who were instructed to think about the healthfulness of a certain food were less likely to choose unhealthy items even if they thought they would taste good. They were also more likely to eat healthy food that they did not necessarily think was tasty.

Brain Function and Food Choices

The ventral medial prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is used to decide what to eat. However, the study scans indicated that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is used when self control kicks into the decision making process.

It is clear that when serious thought is put into food choices based on how healthy foods are, we will probably make better decisions. Long-term health can only be achieved when our thinking is straight.

The way you think truly is the cornerstone of reaching your health goals.

Additional Sources:

LiveScience

ClevelandClinic

Many times when we tell someone or ev

According to the American Psychological Association, people with greater resilience handle negative thought and stressful situations better than those who are not able to adapt in times of crisis. In other words, being able to look at life as 1% circumstance and 99% attitude is a perspective that will enable people to “bounce back” after a stressful event. People who have their glasses half full rather than half empty will fair much better when life throws them a curve ball.

We even seem to get stressed about the ”little” things in life like a long line at the post office, someone taking our parking spot, or being stuck in traffic behind a tractor. While none of these things are probably going to kill us, we sometimes let negativity drive our emotions even over such small inconveniences.

Garnering control over our emotions is the key to success when it comes to handling anxiety induced negativity. Research has clearly demonstrated that our thinking patterns and the way we react to certain situations are both directly and indirectly related to our quality of life. Getting overworked about things that are not in direct control causes stress hormones to rage through our bodies, raising  blood pressure while causing muscles to tighten. Being able to laugh instead of boil inside with anger could be a life saving habit.

Being negative about certain situations disables clear thinking. According to the Mayo Clinic, thinking positive makes it easier to deal with difficult situations. Without clear thinking, people may make irrational decisions and do and say things, only to regret it later. People who have an overabundance of negative thinking are more likely to have a pessimistic outlook on life. While some circumstances in life are seemingly out of our control, understanding how to best respond in tense situations is the key to beating stress. Learning how to laugh instead of scream when the power goes out in the middle of your favorite show will help you deal with the loftier crises when it comes your way.

Are negative thoughts cutting your lifespan in half? It may be time to change how you think.

Additional Sources:

HuffingtonPost

MayoClinic

For some of us, recent research from the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research will be no surprise. Researchers there have found that people who have a generally positive mental attitude and outlook on life are more likely to live a healthier lifestyle. If you’re happy, you’re healthy, say their findings.

The Power of a Positive Mental Attitude

The research was published in the Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series (pdf) and examined the outlooks and lifestyles of more than 7,000 people in Australia.

“Our research shows a direct link between the type of personality a person has and a healthy lifestyle,” says study author Deborah Cobb-Clark.

Men and women who remain positive about life are more likely to eat better, exercise regularly, and take better care of themselves overall. People who feel like life is a matter of fate or luck are less likely to live healthy, and are more likely to smoke and drink.

The bottom line: when you feel in control, you take control.

People who exhibit a positive mental attitude about life are often those who take an action-oriented approach to everything. They might run into the same obstacles as someone with a more negative outlook, but they choose to respond, not react, differently.

People who always feel like things happen to them and that these occurrences determine the course of their life are less likely to take control because they are less likely to feel in control.

Men and women responded differently in the study, according to the National Institutes of Health. Men seek physical results whereas women are more in tune with the overall pleasure they get from a healthy lifestyle.

Still, men and women see the results of their positive mental attitude in their health.

In a study we reviewed several months ago, researchers found that affirmations for health and positive thoughts also work to create behavioral and even physical changes. This could play a role in the effectiveness of placebos—that when we believe and think positively about something, it is more likely to come to fruition. If you need more proof that your own thoughts and positive mental attitude can cause self-healing, read this.

So, whether you are trying to lose weight or simply be healthier—thinking positively can help. Need some positive thinking tips? Try walking in the sunshine or forest bathing, petting a dog, or holding a baby. Actually, merely thinking about these things can have some similar benefits. So, stop sulking and begin smiling.

Disease rates are skyrocketing, particularly chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. With an estimated half of all US adults to face diabetes by 2020, it would seem that there is little hope for slowing down the rampant onslaught of lifestyle-connected conditions. It may be that our continued distancing from nature is the root cause of the escalation of disease, but the good news is that natural healing and prevention can be achieved with the mere decision to embrace mother nature and the natural healing foods provided by her.

Mainstream physicians have been prescribing, cutting, and radiating for decades, yet disease rates are not dwindling. These conditions are not being cured, but fueled. What has been increasing alongside the explosion of sickness rates? Humanity’s reluctancy to embrace and utilize the core principals of natural living.

‘What doesn’t give you cancer these days?’ This statement is a result of major corporations and government organizations turning a blind eye to toxic substances within the food supply and the environment. It may be true that most mainstream products and ‘solutions’ are feeding illness and disease, but another statement could be made that is quite the opposite. ‘What real living food doesn’t prevent cancer?’

There is a serious epidemic of vitamin D deficiency throughout the United States and other developed nations. Many individuals are not going outside anymore, and toxic sunscreen is used even when they do. In either case, vitamin D is not attained, and vitamin D is absolutely essential in the prevention of disease and proper hormonal regulation. Today, however, even cases of the rickets are returning!

Spices like turmeric and ginger, fresh fruits like lemons and oranges, and vegetables like carrots and kale – what real foods don’t prevent cancer? The answer, as scientists are slowly finding out on a daily basis, is nearly all foods are healing foods. These food products are full of enzymes, nutrients, and beneficial compounds that have been found to combat cancer and even shrink tumors.

Here are just a handful of examples proving that nature and natural foods are truly the key to preventing and healing disease. Going one step further, they are pivotal in paving the way for you to not only survive, but thrive.

Natural Healing with Natural Foods

Spices – Spices like turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, oregano, curry, and more have all been shown in research to have a profound positive effect on the body. Turmeric spice and ginger have been shown to destroy cancer cells time and time again; cinnamon is great for diabetics and protecting against diabetes; oregano is full of antioxidants, making it great for anti-aging and defeating cancer.

Fruit – Although fruit contain fructose, that doesn’t take away from the many health benefits they provide. Apples and pears help to preserve brain health; papaya contains an enzyme known as papain, which helps with the digestive system; berries are among the top antioxidant rich foods, known to help slow the aging process, fight cancer, lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and much more.

Vegetables – Vegetables are possibly the most important foods that the vast majority of people are omitting. Celery naturally contains an ingredient that can halt breast cancer; leafy greens like broccoli are essential for the prevention of prostate cancer and to keep the heart healthy; carrots, collard greens, and zuccini help to promote vision; beets are wonderful for detoxing the body.

Nuts – All nuts contain a variety of health-boosting compounds, including omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown to promote mental health, halt weight gain, and help lead to a longer life. The compounds found in pistachios make the nut great for eye health, heart health, and cancer prevention; walnuts are rich in vitamin E, which protects cells and DNA from damage, supports circulation, and is great for the brain; almonds help with weight management, improves heart health, and regulate blood sugar.

Of course this is only a handful of foods that lead to only a handful of health benefits. Remember that natural, organic foods can induce natural healing, and that a simple walk in the park can make more of an impact than you would ever believe.

Additional Sources:

The Telegraph

The Huffington Post

Life’d

Health Diaries

It’s easy to imagine what the rest of the heavy metals, parasites, chemicals, fecal matter, drug residue, dirt, dust, and urine contamination would look like that are cleared by the filters. I may do some future videos showing the insides of the filters as well just to give you an idea. Upon pulling out the reverse osmosis filter, it’s pretty easy to screw open the top and see a whole lot of brown residue quite similar to that of the video.

I imagine one response many reading this might have is ‘well why doesn’t my water filter look like this?’ The first question you should ask yourself is whether or not you have a really serious high quality filtration device. If you’re using something cheap like a Brita filter that you picked up from your local supermarket, you’re not going to see anything near this amount of captured toxins. Why? Because cheap Brita filters don’t grab very much from the tap water you’re drinking, and allows virtually 100% of the fluoride and other heavy metals to pass right on through.

As I explain in my previous article highlighting the top 4 ways to radically transform your health, it’s vitally important to acquire either your own high quality water filtration device or pure spring water. I recommend purchasing a reverse osmosis filtration device and ensuring that you replace vital minerals removed from this process through the addition of apple cider vinegar, real Himalayan sea salt, or a mineral filter (my personal method) addition. Alternatively, checkout the website Find A Spring to see if a pure spring is nearby.