Mind/Body Medicine

Mind/body medicine is an approach to healing that uses the power of thoughts and emotions to positively influence physical health. Research now shows that many illnesses are impacted by the good and bad moods we have, as well as our attitudes. Some of the conditions that react to emotions include heart disease, asthma, digestive problems, pain, diabetes, fatigue, cancer, immune diseases, infertility, headache, and other chronic conditions such as arthritis. In addition, research shows that conditions such as depression, anxiety, can actually worsen by the way you react daily.

Learning new ways to manage your life and your emotional state can put you on the road to recovery.

The immune system is weakened by frequently experiencing stress, and is strengthened when social support is present. A weak immune system is responsible for the progression of the common cold, cancer, and AIDS. In one study people who learned a simple meditative relaxation- technique, significantly strengthened their immune functioning. Other studies indicate that social support may offer cancer patients a longer life.

.
.

Which of these is stress?
· You receive a promotion at work.
· Your car has a flat tire.
· You go to a fun party that lasts till 2:00 a.m.
· Your dog gets sick.
· Your new bedroom set is being delivered.
· Your best friend and his wife come to stay at your house for a week.
· You get a bad case of hay fever.
· All of the above

All of the above.
If you are used to thinking that stress is something that makes you worry, you have the wrong idea of stress. Stress is many different kinds of things: happy things, sad things, allergic things, and physical things. Many people carry enormous stress loads and they do not even realize it!
TO YOUR BODY, STRESS IS SYNONYMOUS WITH CHANGE. Anything that causes a change in your life causes stress. It does not matter if it is a "good" change, or a "bad" change, they are both stress. When you find your dream apartment and get ready to move, that is stress. If you break your leg, that is stress. Good or bad, if it is a CHANGE in your life, it is stress as far as your body is concerned.

A few ways to de-stress your mind are mentioned below; it is advisable to pick the one that you are most comfortable with:

· ART Therapy

.....o Visual Arts (painting, clay, photography, crafts etc…)
.....o Performance Arts (acting, singing, playing instrument,

........dancing, stand-up comedy etc…)
.....o Writing (poetry, writing music, letters – not necessarily to

........be sent, blogging etc…)
· AROMA Therapy
· Yoga
· Meditation & Relaxation
· Guided Imagery
· Self help psychology
· Biofeedback

Quotable Quote - Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear which is inherent in a human situation. ~ Graham Greene

Get creative - An interesting form of journaling is a dialogue you can conduct by yourself. Using your dominant hand, write a question. It might be directed to your inner child, God, or a part of you that is hurting or confused. Then, with your non-dominant hand, respond to the question. You may get some surprising results.

I guess food for the body is not enough; there must be food for the soul.

.

.