Pearls of Wellness

“A bodily disease which we look upon as whole and entirenwithin itself, may, after all, be but a symptomnof some ailment in the spiritual part.”n— Nathaniel Hawthorne

Take a look at the components of this word, “disease.” The first portion, dis, means something negative, while ease means a state of comfort, peace, or rest. When disease is present, the body’s natural state of ease has been disrupted, and an imbalance is present — too much of one thing, or not enough of something else.
For example, the body may contain too much cholesterol, leading to fatty buildup in the arteries. Or the thyroid could be under-producing (hypothyroidism), leading to a plethora of symptoms, such as weight gain, fatigue, or depression.

On a similar note, consider autoimmune disorders. These are conditions that cause the immune system to actually attack the body itself! Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and lupus. Many autoimmune diseases wax and wane in severity over time, and not surprisingly, they generally worsen during stressful times. Why does this happen? No one knows for sure. But if your mind and spirit are in a state of dis-ease, it becomes challenging for your body to maintain health or heal at its peak capacity.

The study of mind-body medicine is called psychoneuroimmunology. Scientifically speaking, this is the study of the nervous system, the endocrine (hormone) system, the immune system, and the implications of these linkages for physical health.
Unfortunately, a big challenge for both providers and patients alike is the fact that we really have a “sick” care system instead of a “health” care system. While this evolution is frustrating, the potential for change grows as more individuals continue to embrace a holistic approach. I believe Hippocrates was right on target in the sixth century B.C. when he said, “For this is the great error of our day that the physicians separate the soul from the body.”

Health is not simply the absence of disease! It is a state of optimal physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. The condition of true health means taking care of oneself on multiple dimensions. This goes far beyond the traditional notion that healthy eating and exercising are the keys. While these offer a great start, they address only the body’s physical needs.
Have you ever considered how stressors, drama, work frustrations, family difficulties, and sadness affect you? Do pessimism and fear predominate your thoughts? If so, it becomes easy it is to attract more negativity into your life. “Like attracts like” is a spiritual law of the universe. Negative thoughts, emotions, and stressors weaken the immune system, disabling the body’s natural defense system and potentially allowing disease to enter.

On the flip side, consider the effect of affirmative thinking, surrounding yourself with loving and supportive people, working in a field you enjoy, giving generously to others, and taking time for yourself. These sorts of actions will strongly attract more positive energy into your life which, in turn, influences your health, attitude, outlook, and joyfulness. Again, “like attracts like,” so healthy, vibrant, positive thoughts will permeate the body.

Understanding this concept is the foundation to optimizing health and wellness.