The power of mind
“We are what we think we are” - Socrates
When illness strikes, negativity usually follows. More often than not, a fever or cough seems to be accompanied by feelings of irritation and exhaustion. We reach for Ibuprofen and NyQuil in hopes of curing the frustrating symptoms. Understandably, it’s rarely enjoyable to be coughing up mucus or being bound to a bed, but what if our negative attitude is part of the problem? The mind is exceptionally complicated and even modern science cannot fully explain many of the phenomena associated with it. Despite this, there is fascinating research present that explores the effects that emotions and mental states have on physical health.
Modern studies dealing with the mind-body connection have shown that endorphins produced in the brain depend on thoughts, feelings and expectations. If an individual is sick but is hopeful and has a positive attitude, the brain is likely to produce chemicals that will boost the body's natural healing power. In contrast, negative thoughts and emotions can prevent the brain from producing some of the chemicals that aid in recovery. Of course, some illnesses are beyond mental control, but thoughts and state of mind are still resources that could be useful in preventing illness.
In addition to benefiting recovery, positive thoughts have been correlated with a better life expectancy. A researcher at Harvard School of Public Health recently studied over 70,000 nurses in the U.S. It was discovered that those who were the most optimistic had roughly 15 percent longer lifespans than those who were the least optimistic. The results were partially attributed to the fact that happier individuals smoked less, exercised more and were generally less stressed out. Long-term stress can increase the “allostatic load” on the body, meaning that there would be more wear and tear on internal organs. The researchers mentioned that even these results painted only a small percentage of a much larger picture. It is likely that in future years, more will be discovered that further illustrates the relationship between positive thinking and biochemical processes within cells.
In the meantime, it's worth evaluating our own attitudes and how it could be impacting our health. It’s undeniably difficult to completely shift your mindset, but it may be helpful to slowly incorporate small lifestyle alterations. Taking time to express gratitude, performing an act of kindness or pursuing engaging activities are all ways that are statistically proven to reduce unhappiness. Who knows, maybe positivity could change your life for the better!
By Nicole Hardt