Emotions and Physical Health

Can What You Think and Feel Affect Your Health and the Way You Live?

Jun 10, 2006

Most of us have experienced the physical effects that depression, mental strain or stress can have on our bodies, or the euphoria of a really good day that makes every ache or pain go away. We know that sleep can have an impact on our minds and emotions as well as our physical energy levels. In fact, our emotions are fundamentally connected with all aspects of health.

The link between mental, emotional and physical health has been gaining credibility ever since Louise Hay brought the concept into the public eye over two decades ago. Her books You Can Heal Your Body and You Can Heal Your Life are the modern foundation for the kind of healing that looks at our lives from a holistic or "whole being" perspective. Our health, illness, and even the shapes of our bodies have been linked to mental and emotional patterns that create implications in our physical reality over time.

Neither our bodies, minds, heart, or spirit exist in a vacuum: each is fundamentally dependent on the others in order for us to be healthy and whole. This concept is hardly new. In traditional human societies, emotional well-being would have been the purvey of the shaman, wisewoman, medicine man, or healer - the same person who knew how to heal and improve physical health.

In today's world, many natural medicine practitioners are able to help clients release emotional strain, phobias, and ingrained habits, even as they treat physical allergies and other problems. Even ordinary physical symptoms may end up being traced to painful memories or experiences that have become locked in the body's energy field and need to be released or reframed. Healers using techniques like cranial sacral, deep body massage, energy medicine or energy psychology are able to use physical tools to clear emotional blocks and trauma quickly, enabling people to walk away after just one or two sessions with less pain, fear - and lessened physical symptoms.

What kind of physical problems have been linked to emotional well-being? The most common ones, stomachache and headache, can be caused by virtually any kind of strain. Back pain has been attributed to a feeling of not being emotionally supported, or to feeling that you've lost your path or aren't fulfilling your purpose. Knee problems can be due to fear of "stepping forward" in your life. Asthma, especially in childhood, has been linked to a feeling of smothering or too much control. Cancer is related to self-hatred, and fibromyalgia and other degenerative diseases to a deep feeling of unworthiness and abnegation of self. Thyroid has to do with the voice, expressing yourself and feeling that you are heard.

In some cases, energy therapies or conventional talk therapy to heal the emotional root of disease has been instrumental in healing life-threatening illnesses.

Our bodies manifest illness to show our thoughts and feelings. They can truly be our greatest teachers about what is going on inside our hearts and minds... and how to heal ourselves.

The copyright of the article Emotions and Physical Health in Natural Medicine is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Emotions and Physical Health in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Sep 10, 2008 12:30 PM

Guest :

I have been on an anti-depressentt for 10 years now. I want off but am so cryee if you know what I mean .I am 45 years old.
what is a natural medicine I could take for this? carollynncooper@yahoo.com

Sep 18, 2008 11:36 PM

Guest :

I cannot concentrate.i feel tired and depressed and i have turn into a heavy smoker.i am 33 year old what should i do i love a man who is cheating on me.

Oct 14, 2008 2:33 PM

Guest :

guest on antidepressants...try some vitamins..especially vitamin b and zinc...also get out into the sun for at least 15 mins a day!

Oct 14, 2008 2:36 PM

Guest :

guest that cannot concentrate, u need to see urself as worthy then u will know u dont deserve to be cheated on and u will leave...why would u love someone who is hurting you,you deserve more than that!!?? the only way to get bettter is to look after YOURSELF!!! single and happy is better than partnered and depressed!!! be strong...sending you love strength and courage!!! X

Nov 5, 2008 7:34 PM

Guest :

I believe very strongly in the mind/body connection and that they influence each other, relating to your well being, mind effecting body and body effecting mind. I wish that it (holistic healing) could be more accessible to my husband whom has had a recent back injury, which I believe is meant to be his pivital moment to get in touch with his feelings in a healthy way and that he would then be fine. Also, he is close-minded about this stuff and I fear it will be to his own demise if he doesn't embrace it soon. How can I get him to talk about his feelings? He believes that the people that talk about their feelings to a professional are crazy, but I believe it is crazy not to because no one is untouched that they don't have a single issue with something. And having issues with anything is not the same thing as being mentally ill. Any suggestions?

Apr 11, 2009 7:21 AM

Guest :

Present your husband with strong evidence supporting holistic healing. For example, when a person is frightened the body reacts to the emotion by sending out hormones that speed up the heart. When a person is sad the body reacts with tears. There are numerous scientific studies that prove the link between emotion and physical health, reference some of these.

Then point out to him that denying his emotion is denying his body a necessary outlet and will inhibit his physical recovery.

Yoga, Tai-Chi, Meditation, Self-Awareness, and Prayer are some practices proven to stimulate overall emotional, physical, and spiritual health and reduce Stress. Even spending a minute each day to look at a photo of a loved one will boost immunity and reduce stress. Lastly, letting go of grudges and anger- forgiveness -will improve quality of life and health of mind and body.