You are what you think: 3 ways to help your thoughts keep you healthy - Women's Agenda

You are what you think: 3 ways to help your thoughts keep you healthy

It was Greek philosopher, Epictetus, who first said that “men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them”.

There is now a strong body of modern science that supports the impact of our thoughts at a cellular level. In one study of people who were allergic to poison ivy, each was rubbed on one arm with aloe vera and told it was poison ivy and on the other with poison ivy and told it was aloe vera. ALL came out in a rash on the aloe vera arm – only two reacted to the poison ivy.

In short, our thoughts – that is, the way we perceive our external environment – have a real and physical impact on our bodies.

So, what does this mean for our minds? And what can we do – on a day to day basis – to help ensure our minds are healthy?

1. Keep up relationships and make time for play

We are wired for connection and there is a raft of studies that show that genuine relationships are critical to our health.

In one study of mice with chemical burns to their backs, one group were left on their own in their cage to heal – 12% did. Another group were given rugs so that they could nest and were allowed to play with their friends – 92% of this group healed.

So enjoy your nest. Play with your friends. It not only feels good, it does good.

2. Make sure we feel our feelings

This can be easier said than done.

In a time where social media showcases the ‘best’ of our lives, tips for happiness and gratitude meet us at every turn, and it is easier to distract ourselves from sadness than it is to sit with it, it is important to acknowledge and allow time for the full spectrum of our emotions. This includes the uncomfortable ones.

Some studies show that suppressing our feelings can have a very negative impact on our health – research from Harvard’s School of Public Health and the University of Rochester indicated that the risk of premature death from all causes increased by 35% for supressed their feelings.

Dr Craig Hassed, a leading practitioner in the field of mind-body medicine, confirms that emotions have a profound effect on the body. And he is quick to caution against us taking a one dimensional view of emotions – that is, seeing happiness as the only positive emotion and viewing sadness, for example, as a negative emotion.

“We have a whole range of emotions,” Hassed says. “And so there might be times when it’s quite appropriate to feel sad and if we express that sadness in a way that we feel comfortable with then that’s not a negative emotion, that’s a natural human emotion. It’s really when the emotions – what’s on the inside – gets out of step with what’s on the outside, or when we start to wallow in emotions, that it has a long term and cumulative effect on the body that’s not particularly healthy.”

3. Find focus

There are now scores of scientific studies that show that a wandering mind makes us unhappy… and unhealthy.

“When we are not paying attention we often make mountains out of molehills and perceive stressors that don’t even exist. This amplifies our level of stress enormously which takes a toll on our mental and physical health,” says Hassed.

As a result of these types of studies mindfulness, once considered an alternative practice, has now moved into the mainstream and a number of leading global corporations are reaping the benefits. Indeed, according to Hassed, “the evidence is suggesting that learning to pay attention may just be the most important life-skill we ever learn.”


These tips are a curation of material and quotes from thrive conversation’s recent event (You Are What You Think – speaker, Dr Karen Coates) and upcoming event (Minding Your Mind – speaker, Dr Craig Hassed).

Dr Craig Hassed is speaking about practical strategies for keeping our minds healthy at thrive conversation’s next event Minding Your Mind on 8 September, at the Abbotsford Convent. Tickets are available here.

×

Stay Smart! Get Savvy!

Get Women’s Agenda in your inbox