Negative Emotions and Your Health

The concept of a mind-body connection is as old as time itself. The Bible and other ancient literature refer to the benefits of joy, laughter, and other positive emotions, as well as to the physically damaging effects of bitterness, unforgiveness, and similar negative emotions. The French mathematician and philosopher Rene Descarte proposed such a connection, a view that put him at odds with the Catholic church during the Middle Ages. Many conventional health practitioners of the last century have scoffed at such a notion, but new scientific tools and diagnostic techniques have recently kindled new interest in and respect for this holistic approach to health and wellness.

Many studies have been done that indicate proof positive that people who are emotionally healthy -- feeling positive about themselves and their relationships with others -- are much less prone to getting sick and tend to heal much faster if they are fighting an illness. Modern imaging techniques have even given us pictures that support this theory. Specifically, abnormal intestinal activity, such as indigestion and stomach aches, have been documented to occur when negative stress sets off activities in the brain that chemically cause such discomfort.


Rather than doubting the effects of emotions on the body, many modern physicians are now embracing this idea. In fact, some new terms have cropped up in medicine in the last few years, terms such as "health psychologist," "behavioral medicine," and the field of "psychoneuroimmunology." More and more hard evidence is being discovered that gives increased creedence to what we have always instinctively known and what natural health practitioners have been proclaiming for years.

How Do Emotions Affect Our Physical Health?

Our bodies are basically complex chemical factories with the brain running the show. Our organs do not operate independently, but take their orders from the brain and central nervous system -- orders that are chemically delivered. Physical characteristics such as digestion, heart function, blood pressure, respiration, and other bodily functions are triggered by the release of hormones and other chemicals that are originally stimulated by the brain. Research has proven that negative emotions such as fear, bitterness, anxiety, anger, trying to get 'even ', depression, and unforgiveness can cause the release of chemical agents that lead to poor digestion and absorption of nutrients, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and inflammation throughout the body, a key factor in cancer, heart disease, and many other debilitating conditions.

One of the most interesting and significant physical effects of negative emotions is how they impact the immune system. Hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol -- helpful and necessary when appropriate -- are released in abnormal amounts when a person is fearful, angry, or otherwise emotionally upset. These chemicals weaken the immune system and harm its ability to fight disease. The flip side of this scenario is that positive emotions such as laughter and contentment have been known to release chemicals that strengthen the immune system and act to prevent and heal cancer and other serious illnesses. In fact, as support for the mind-body connection grows, it is not uncommon for behavioral medicine specialists to assist medical teams in cardiac, intensive care units, and cancer care wards.

How Can I Manage My Emotions to Prevent Illness?

--Deal with negative feelings or emotions in a balanced way. Do not stuff them! This is the worst thing you can do. This may involve spiritual counseling, talking with a trusted friend, journaling, or involvement in a support group.

--Choose to forgive, if this is needed in your life. That's right, make a conscious decision to just forgive and then let it go! The decision to forgive may come with or without the feelings, but often the feelings come later.

--Watch out for the "everyone is out to get me" mind set. This brings on a victim mentality that can be a "cancer to the whole body" especially if it is allowed to fester.

--Take care of your health. We all experience stress and bad things in life at certain times. If we have a strong foundation of wellness to support us, we will be able to weather emotional storms more easily. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, get plenty of sleep, fresh air, and sunshine. Find a hobby, take up Pilates, Yoga or learn EFT. And remember to count your blessings and practice thankfulness!

--Develop a servant's heart. One of the best ways to heal our own toxic emotions is to reach out and help others. This can also establish healthy, loving relationships to replace or help heal those that are damaged in our lives. As the Bible says: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Why Should We Forgive People?
by Andrew Matthews (seashell.com.au)

At some point most of us learned that it is a good idea to forgive people. We learned that it is "holy" or "spiritual". But there is a more basic reason to forgive people: when you don't forgive them, it ruins your life!

Let's say: a) you are my boss and you give me the sack, or b) you are my girl, and you run off with my buddy. So I say, "I'll never forgive you for that!" Who suffers? Not you! I'm pacing the floor. I've got the knot in my stomach. I'm losing sleep. You are probably out partying! Where do we get the idea that if WE don't forgive people, THEY suffer? It's nuts!

Recent studies at the Public Health Institute in California confirm that hostility and resentment tear down your immune system and double your risk of heart attack, cancer and even diabetes. Bitterness makes you sick!

To forgive someone, you don't have to agree with what they did. You just have to want your life to work. Is it easy? Usually not. But you don't forgive people for their benefit. You do it for your benefit.

Anger Quotes

"He who angers you conquers you."
Elizabeth Kenny

"Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame."
Benjamin Franklin

"He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly."
The Bible (Proverbs 14:29)

"Anger is the weak persons imitation of strength."

"Anger: an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored
than to anything on which it is poured."
Seneca

Fear Quotes

FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."
Dale Carnegie

"There are four ways you can handle fear. You can go over it, under it, or around it. But if you are ever to put fear behind you, you must walk straight through it. Once you put fear behind you, leave it there."
Donna A. Favors

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and love and of a sound mind."
The Bible (2 Timothy 1:7)