Proof Positive: Our Thoughts, Emotions Affect our Physiological Health
We have known that cognitive bias (where we live, if we are a man or woman, our cultural and religious leanings etc.) colors how we interact with the world since Plato, but scientists are now continuously finding that emotions may have more to do with our physical health than anything else.
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.
Aids is sexually transmitted, it has absolutely nothing to do with stress. If you can't find reliable journalists to write your articles, don't post anything at all.
Yes, I think that a person's low self-esteem or negative thinking or emotional messes leads them to take more risks in their lives, meaning more open to alcohol, drugs, tons and tons of sex and one night stands, to somehow conceal or placate those emotional hells. . . . and there's where DISEASE comes into the picture…. it's not that simply by having negative thoughts one will get HIV or other illness, but rather it's the EFFECT of such a state of mind….
AIDS (not Aids) is not transmitted. It is an acronym for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome” which develops from exposure to the HIV virus, which IS transmitted by means other than sexual activity. Transfusion patients and even newborn infants can be exposed to the virus, and develop AIDS, though not all do, just as not all sexual encounters with an HIV-positive person will result in AIDS. Other source of infection can be shared needles by drug users, a contaminated razor blade that nicks your skin, mother’s milk, kissing a person with bleeding gums. Google “How AIDS is transmitted” before snarking about “reliable journalists”.
I feel that the author was refering to the notion that stress stresses the immune system and therefore encourages the body to develop AIDS from HIV. I agree with you though, it should have been worded differently. This article makes it appear that you can contracts AIDS/HIV from stress.
I would have retweeted this except it is still perpetuating the cholesterol = CVD myth! For more info http://www.statinnation.net/
Yes, poorly written article. Cristina Sarich is the writer who posted another article on this site about garden tools being used as weapons and it was very misleading. Ms. Sarich – please be more careful with what you say if you want to be good at your job.
In the Netherlands they now propose to reduce the age of girls given the HPV vaccination to 9 years old. As 12 year old girls protest too much, not wanting the vaccination. They believe that with 9 year olds the parents will make the decision and apparently expect parents to be compliant and unaware of the dangers. The vaccine apparently only protects for a short while and the possible disease heals itself, possibly making you even stronger against a next time you get it.
Another research proved positive thinking does not work. It is people who have realistic thoughts that are more happy and successful.
"The Mind Is A Battle Field." Our thought pattern (negative or positive) and how we react to the thought pattern and situations in our lives effects our bodies in more ways than one. It is important to be "balanced" in your thinking and feeling in order to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle. Positive thinking is very important to maintain "balance" and "live a long and healthy life." Be mindful of your thinking on a daily basis and start thinking more positive thoughts throughout your daily experiences and life. Look to the positive reaction to situation than looking to the negative aspects of the situation in which you are encountering because in time this situation shall pass. However, the affects it leaves in the mind and body are longer lasting. Be kind to yourself and remember to look to the positive thoughts first and reactions to situations you are presently encountering and your health and body will thank-you in the process.
Linda — VLCNW Student