Mind Your Body .... from Author Cassandra Curley

STRESS! It
can invade our lives like gnats at a garden party on a hot summer day. The
intrusion is not only annoying but, relentless in a way that affects our
well-being. Allopathic, holistic and mind/body sciences show convincing
evidence that high blood pressure, digestive irregularities, hormonal
imbalances, joint pain, anxiety disorders and abnormal skin conditions can be
the physical manifestation of an unbalanced lifestyle. Media hype often
attributes stress as the bane of all woes – most particularly as a source of
illness. Alfred Cooley, a top stress researcher at the University
of California, asserts that stress is
“The most wide-spread problem in America today. It is a major
contributing factor in 100% of diseases.” If this statement is accurate, the
remedy seems simple – reduce your stress and you will improve your health.

To
implement this strategy requires an understanding of what stress is.  The American Heritage Dictionary of the
English Language defines stress as such: “To subject to pressure or strain; to distress”. That seems rather
“subject-ive”? What may be pressure or strain to one individual may be a simple
task for another. One wouldn’t compare being wedged in rush-hour traffic to a
parent, struggling with earning enough money for next month’s rent and
providing sustenance for their children. Or what about an independent grad
student who is determined to maintain a competitive grade point average while
working a full-time job? On a global perspective, how are many Americans
“stressed out” when much of the world lives in abject poverty? My father was
correct when he often declared, “It’s all relative”. However, your body doesn’t
know that.

            The human body reacts to all stress in exactly the
same way - by engaging the “fight or flight” mechanisms that have been
programmed in our genes for ages. Whether it’s “fighting” traffic or in
“flight” from a predator, it engages the sympathetic nervous system. If
distress is perceived, the physiological functions automatically employ - breathing,
blood pressure and heart rate increase to divert more blood and oxygen to the
extremities for a quick get-away; production of blood glucose, adrenaline and
cortisol escalate to provide more energy and strength for combat; the entire nervous
system becomes alert and we feel an insurmountable sense of urgency. These
functions deploy instantly and demand a tremendous supply of energy. It is no
wonder that it quickly depletes the body’s resources - disengaging only when
the perceived danger has passed. Therein lies the problem.

            The caveat with our self-induced, hectic lifestyles is we
fail to “dis-engage ‘. While the biological systems remain turned on, we are
further burdened by our body’s attempt to “save” us. Eventually, systems are over-taxed
and deterioration ensues. So what is the solution? A simple one can be to fool
your body.

            Since your brain does not differentiate between immediate
danger and a demanding life-style and your brain is a slave to your mind - try
changing your mind. As free-thinking beings, we already do it all the time so,
why not reprogram ourselves for the benefit?

The
body responds in synchrony with beliefs. If signaled you are in danger or under
duress, the fight or flight system activates. Conversely, if you change the
perception to one that evokes a sense of serenity, it will induce rest (the
parasympathetic nervous system) as well as healing and immunity-building
responses.

 Hypnotists use the same principle by
introducing suggestion to the subconscious mind to change perception of the
conscious mind. Convincing your body that it can remain relaxed and at peace
while facing life’s daily challenges is akin to self-hypnosis. Conscious, slow
breathing with focused, pleasant thought will immediately slow heart rate and
divert attention from a stressful situation.

In a
visualization program, conducted by Dr. Denis Waitley in the 80’s and 90’s,
Olympic athletes were electronically monitored for brain activity while
visualizing themselves running their event. The results were exactly the same
as having physically run the same race – fooling the brain into believing it
was actually moving. Such is the power of the mind.

Numerous
studies in both conventional and alternative medicine have reached the same
conclusion - the brain responds to what you believe. Therefore, if you approach
conflict with a sense of calm deliberation, you may not only ease your body’s
burden but also, achieve a sense of inner peace. Given a choice, it is well
worth the thought.

Cassandra "Cassie" Curley, LMT, Actress, Author of
What's the "Matter"?

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