Wednesday, April 16, 2014

PERSONAL SPECIAL............... Body-mind balance


Body-mind balance 

Are your emotions making you sick


    There’s a memorable scene in the film Manhattan, where Diane Keaton breaks up with Woody Allen and wants to know why it isn’t making him angry. The director-actor replies, “I don’t get angry, I grow a tumour instead.” You may laugh at it, but it isn’t far from the truth. Studies have revealed that there is a definite relationship between emotions and our physical health.
    “Your mind always chats with your body. For example, when you are tensed, you sweat more than usual, fluff your words, feel nauseated and experience faster heartbeats and the tightening of buttock muscles,” says psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty. Psychologists also relate happiness, hopefulness, optimism to reduced risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and depression to heart diseases, diabetes and a host of other illnesses.
    As WHO celebrates World Health Day on April 7, let’s evaluate just how much our personalities and emotions affect our physical well-being.
IMPULSIVE
You leap before you think, as you often feel overwhelmed by emotions. You make almost every decision of your life before thinking it through, and expect quick results. When it doesn’t happen, you
get frustrated.
Outcome: Researchers have found that impulsive people constantly secrete the stress hormone cortisol, which leads to higher amounts of stomach acid, leading to ulcer formation and irritable bowel syndrome.
Be in control: “When you feel an impulse arising, think about the last time you acted on this impulse. How did it make you feel afterwards? If the answer is negative, ask yourself if you really want to feel that way again,” suggests psychologist Dr Seema Hingorrany. Try and get some air. Distance yourself from the situation. For example, if you want to call a love interest who isn’t responding, switch off your phone.
SHY
You feel uncomfortable around others or in large groups. You rarely speak up. This leads to you suppressing yourself and bottling up your feelings.
Outcome: “Shy people may be at increased risk of coming down with viral infections, including common cold,” says psychiatrist Dr Jalpa Bhuta. Shyness impacts immune system functions and is associated with increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response in dangerous or stressful situations.
Shake away shyness: Start small. Begin with eye contact, a smile, confident body language and small talk with people you know. Write down what you want to say and rehearse it out aloud, maybe even in front of the mirror. Find group activities where you can be with people who share your interests. It’ll help you open up.
NEUROTIC
Since you are used to finding fault with everything, you are emotionally reactive and prone to stress. Small issues seem threatening. In short, you make a mountain out of a molehill.
Outcome: “Prolonged severe stress impairs the brain and body cells, giving rise to m u l t i p l e physiological disorders and increases the risk of heart attacks,” says Dr Akshay Chhallani, consultant – internal medicine and stress management. Basically, stress causes permanent biochemical imbalances, which impact the o t h e r parts of body as well.
N e g a t e neurosis: “ S p e n d time with yourself by meditating regularly and exercising religiously,” says Priti Mehta, who believes in natural living. “Try to understand where your anxiety is stemming from. Consciously feed your mind with good thoughts, and they will be passed on to your body,” adds Mehta.
PEOPLE PLEASER
You spend most of your time and energy seeking other people’s approval. Since you conform to what others want, you no longer have your own identity. You aren’t happy in spite of being accommodating and adjusting and this gradually leads to irritation and poor self worth.
Outcome: “When you start feeling powerless over things that are happening to you, you are more prone to depression and anxiety,” Dr Gerd Mueller, managing director of a rehab and fitness centre.
Stop being a pushover: Stop being a ‘yes’ person and know that you have choices too. “The next time someone asks you for a favour, say that you’ll need to think about it,” says psychotherapist Dr Anjali Chhabria.
ARGUMENTATIVE
You can go to any extent to prove that you’re right. You argue on every small thing and get defensive.
Outcome: A study conducted by The University of Utah said that couples who regularly have
heated arguments are more
likely to have health problems than those who engage in controlled discussions. Argumentative women are more likely to experience hardening of the arteries, while men are likely to suffer from atherosclerosis, both leading to heart problems.
Curb the urge to argue: “When you’re tempted to argue, step away from the discussion for 20 minutes. Utilise that time to do something that calms you down, then discuss calmly,” says Chhallani. And most importantly, be a good listener.
    Like His Holiness the Dalai Lama says in How I Start My Day (right), ask yourself every day whether you want to live a meaningful life or a frivolous one. If the answer is the former, it’s time to keep your mind in control because that’s the key to a healthy body.
    
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