The mind and the body are connected. Learn about how emotions relate to causing disease in our body and healthy ways to cope with emotions.
Emotions can affect your health because the mind and the body are connected. That is why the emphasis is put on mental wellness. The benefits are not confined to the individual's mental state, but they also spill over to physical well-being. A lot of research has been done over the years to evaluate the relationship between emotions and physical health.
Emotions do affect the functioning of the immune system, and consequently, the health of an individual.
How do emotions cause illness?
Emotions such as stress, happiness, and sadness are part and parcel of life. These emotions can come at any time throughout the life of an individual. Several events can cause emotions; they could be losing a job, divorce, injury, promotions, changing environment, and so on.
Emotions cause physical changes to the body. They affect breathing and heart rate. If emotions are related to fear, such changes prepare the body for reaction meant to keep it safe. For instance, in the event of danger, the changes will make it possible for you to take flight. That is just an example of how emotions contribute to survival.
When emotions are handled in a healthy way, the body can bounce back into its natural state. On the other hand and in the case of emotions such as long term stress, the body cannot return to its normal state, bringing about both physical and mental illness.
Long-term stress can affect metabolic functions, the immune system, and even hormones. When the three are unstable, the body becomes susceptible to illness.
Emotions can impair the functioning of the immune system.
As part of the stress response, the immune system is activated. However, when the activation is prolonged, it becomes a problem and affects how the brain functions. This is how depression kicks in. If people do not find healthy ways to cope with the different emotions that present themselves, they become at risk of developing mental problems and ill-health.
Emotions and behavioral changes
One of the ways that emotions relate to diseases is how they affect the behavior of an individual. For instance, a lack of motivation can result in drug use, which is detrimental to an individual's health. When an individual is feeling overwhelmed, they could resolve into tobacco use, which could affect their respiratory health. On the other hand, anxiety can lead to malnutrition, which can make one more susceptible to illnesses.
Take away
Poor emotional health can result in weak immunity. This can make you more vulnerable to colds, flu, and other illnesses. It is, therefore, essential to take care of emotional health in order to enjoy physical health. Managing emotions and stress should be everyone’s priority.
Undergoing neuro-emotional therapy, regular exercise, practicing mediation, setting aside time for hobbies, and spending time with family and friends are some of the healthy ways to cope with emotions. You are encouraged to feel the emotions instead of suppressing them, which does more harm than good.
Please contact me to learn more about how Christian Neuroemotional Therapy can help you stay happy and healthy.
