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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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