Do you struggle with digestive health problems?
The old adage “In a healthy body, healthy mind” may have to be modified in present days. The new saying could sound something like this: A healthy, balanced and optimistic spirit results in a healthy and vital body! Digestive health is no exception to this rule.
So, keep your mind positive thoughts and your body will be resistant to the diseases. Sounds like a new-age philosophy, but it’s a proven scientific fact.
The results of numerous studies clearly show an association between negative thoughts and various disorders. At the same time, positive thinking is related to the proper operation of all organs and systems.
The scientific discipline of psychoneuroimmunology founded precisely for the purpose of this research undoubtedly illustrates how negative thoughts, attitudes, and moods such as fear, guilt, jealousy, anger, etc., affect the human body.
On the other hand, love, gratitude, joy, and optimism causing positive physiological responses.
How thoughts affect the body
The principle by which thoughts affect physiology is still not fully understood, but it is known that our psychological state affects our endocrine system.
For example, the emotions of anger and fear are associated with activation of adrenal hormones and secretion of adrenaline, which in turn accelerates our heart rate and breathing, and causes muscle tension.
Every thought and emotion is accompanied by a certain physical reaction. Our organism does not recognize these events as a fake product of our mind, but it reacts as if the danger was real.
Negative thoughts can cause a number of symptoms such as a headache, loss of energy, high blood pressure, digestive problems, sexual dysfunction, excessive sweating, weight loss or weight gain, insomnia, muscle stiffness.
With time, it can lead to a significantly more serious reaction, such as cancer.
Serious consequences can occur only with the prolonged presence of negative thoughts.
Positive thinking, on the other hand, is strengthening our immune system, reducing the risk of many diseases and speeding the healing if a disease has already occurred.
Cleanliness of the mind
Some of the benefits of positive thinking include the strengthening of the immune system, reduced risk of heart disease and problems with the digestive, respiratory, endocrine systems.
Besides the effects on our bodies, emotions also affect our intellectual performance.
So we can become, for example, creative, more intelligent and more focused if we are feeling satisfaction, gratitude, compassion, etc.
Abnormally fast and stressful life causes health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, digestive health issues, etc… This clearly indicates that the mind and body are not two completely separate units. Unfortunately, this is still the dominant idea in Western medicine.
The application of some of the many available relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, or creative workshops such as dance, artistic expression, etc., has a positive effect on our thoughts and emotional state, thus supporting the health of our body.
Digestive health problems caused by negative thoughts and emotions
Our digestive system is interlinked with our thoughts, emotions, and moods through the center called the Enteric Nervous System. Modern science calls this center the second brain. This system is controlling our digestion and feeling of our body, therefore it’s vital to us.
The famous feeling of butterflies in our stomach is direct proof of how this system is directly connected with our emotions. This system is sending the information to the brain and it can trigger so0me emotional conditions as a result of bad digestion. Therefore the link between these two brains of ours works two way.
According to UCLA professor Emeran Mayer, treating the mental illnesses will have to spread to the “second brain” as well. Dealing with everyday stress might help to avoid or reduce digestive health problems caused by negative emotions.
It’s always important to have a good rest and breaks both from physical and mental activities. Devote a time of the day to yourself and find a way to meditate, relax, practice breathing techniques for relaxation, reading calming literature, painting, playing an instrument…
Whatever makes you happy and whatever was your childhood passion is the key. A good hobby can fix your digestive health and cure many mental issues.
Three steps to heal your emotions in balance
A great approach to dealing with negative emotions is to track them down. Keep a daily record of your emotions and write them down no matter how small they are. This way you will raise the self-awareness and be able to express your emotions.
Note down every success you make on a daily basis. Regardless of how small or big are these achievements. This way you will be able to boost your confidence. Every new achievement will serve as a booster of positive thoughts.
Try to adopt a new and creative hobby. Great success is the coloring books for meditation and relaxations. This great technique has been reserved for children for many years, but recently it became a popular therapeutic method for adults.
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