How Negative Thoughts Affect the Body

There is a profound electrical nature within our bodies in which senses, feelings, emotions, and instinctive responses are electrically transmitted instantly along the nerves to the brain. These electrical messages are constantly sent throughout the body, keeping us not only informed of personal and environmental conditions, but they are also the electrical systems that are vital to our physical health. When the energy stops flowing, we die.

Among the electronic messages travelling along the nerves of the brain are emotions, of which the primary emotions are anger, fear, pleasure, sadness and disgust. By analysing the functions of the brain with modern technology using tools such as positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have discovered that emotions are instantaneous primitive response mechanisms that occur before rational analysis by other part of the brain. Neurotransmitters known as monoamines are active in the brain and in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. These are responsible for our emotive and physical reactions to stimuli. For instance, stressful events have a profound influence on the neuroendocrine and neurochemical systems, causing chemical changes in many areas of the brain, including several that are strongly involved in emotions.

Such information is not new and has actually been used for millennia already. More than 5,000 years ago, the Chinese discovered a complex system of energy circuits that run throughout the body. These energy circuits (or meridians) are invisible to the eye but have been proven to be highly effective in Eastern medical treatments like acupuncture, acupressure, etc. Just like we are unable to see the energy flow of our television sets, we are aware of the presence of the energy by its effects.
For oriental medicines organs are capable of responsiveness and the cells of which they are composed can be sensitive to specific emotions and therefore all physical symptoms we have (illnesses, organ malfunctions, physical reactions, etc.) are a form of non-verbal communication of the body to express an internal emotional conflict. Here are some examples of how Traditional Chinese Medicines associates emotional conflicts to specific organ functions:

• The Kidneys can be affected by fear or shock
• The Spleen and Pancreas can be affected by worry or pensiveness
• The Liver can be affected by anger or frustration
• The Lungs can be affected by sadness or suppressed grief
• The Heart can be affected by excess excitement

When certain organs cease to work properly because of negative emotions, they release specific chemicals that ultimately render negative emotions, thus perpetuating the cycle. Hence “negative emotions cause disruptions in the body’s energy system and the cause of negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system.”

To break away from this cycle, you need to break away from the negativity. Focusing on the organs alone (through the stimulation of the meridians) will be ineffective as long as the negative emotions remain. Similarly, trying to eliminate all negative emotions without cleansing the body will prove to also be fruitless for the organs will continue to release toxicity into the body thus further generating negativity.

So what can you do? Depending on the type and severity of the situation, various approaches can be recommended. They can range from a determined self-development approach, to trying yoga, pilates, or some other relaxing workout, to seeing help from a specialist in naturopathy for both the mind and the body. For anyone with non-severe cases, you can try the following:

1. Take some time for yourself. Relax, engage in a personal hobby, try something new or pamper yourself.
2. Stay healthy. Remember that a healthy body renders a healthy mind.
3. Think positively. Whether it’s an undervaluation, a self-limitation, a fear, a blame, or negative conciliation, become aware of when, where and why you have such negative thoughts. Try to identify the pattern associated with negative thoughts and then change the pattern.
4. Engage yourself. participate in activities that make you feel good; get involved in helping others, accomplish the goals you set out for yourself.