Many things determine a person’s ability to cope with, and recover from, illness. People have different lifestyle habits that allow them to have stronger immune systems. These can range from economic status (ability to have better health care or purchase healthier more expensive foods), to genetics—the constitution you inherited from your parents. Also, your eating habits, sleeping habits, exercise, fresh air—all the eight essentials play a key role in health and the recovery from illness.
When one has a terminal illness, a person can live longer or shorter, depending on a variety of factors also. The truth is that two people can have exactly the same illness, with the same constitution, and one can recover from illness quickly, while another takes much longer. What is the difference?
Often these differences can be traced down to the way a person thinks. We only need to look to the Bible as to the impact that our thoughts have on our health. Solomon, who was considered the wisest man on this earth, once said, “For as man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7. Not only does this apply to our spiritual lives, but it encompasses our entire being.
How do you consider your health today? Do you think you are somewhat healthy? Extremely healthy? Just average? Have below average health? Very poor health? And finally—is the way you think about your health reflective of the true reality of your health status? A true and accurate idea of your health?
Unfortunately, someone who is of good health may consider their health just average and thus they go along in life with the thought and acceptance that their health is not the best. And they suffer needlessly. There is a vital connection between the mind and the state of one’s physical health. This is the focus of this article.
A story was once told of two people who went to the doctor to have tests—one was extremely healthy, and one had a terminal illness. After the test results came in the two people went to see the doctor. The tests got mixed up, though. The healthy person was told they have a terminal illness and the ill person was told they were healthy. The two went home. The one who was healthy but was told he was ill, became extremely ill and passed away in a few years time. The one who was terminally ill, but was told he was healthy, miraculously recovered and went on to live a happy life.
Now this is an extreme example, but gives an accurate illustration of the power of the mind over one’s body, especially when one is sick.
There are many healthy people who think they are sick. I know of one such person who is always moaning and groaning, complaining that they are sick, when in reality they are quite healthy. They are the healthiest sick person I know. No among of convincing seems to help this person see that they are healthy. And because of this, they are always unhappy, always dissatisfied, having a constant focus on the negative aspects of their life, their “sickness.”
“Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination. Many are lifelong invalids who might be well if they only thought so.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 241
The thoughts and inclinations of the heart shape the reality of who you are and this definitely also affects your health. “Sickness of the mind prevails everywhere. Nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation here.” –Counsels on Health, p. 324
Scientific research backs this up by stating that negative emotions can damage the immune system, which can either contribute to disease, or worsen a disease that is already present. It can actually shorten our lifespan. On the other hand, there have been many terminal ill people who live longer than expected, because they are happy and cheerful.
When people are sick, especially with a chronic illness, they react in one of two ways. They either focus on their illness, their deficiencies and what they cannot do, the pain there are in, and so on. They are always miserable and groaning. Others focus on what they are still capable of doing, even though quite limited, they do not let their limitations determine their happiness. They are thankful for life every day. They thank God for every breath they breathe and for every heart beat they experience. They look at the roses, rather than the thorns.
“Many are diseased physically, mentally, and morally because their attention is turned almost exclusively to themselves.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 647
Not only does our emotional state affect our physical health, but when we harbor negative emotions we tend to engage in behaviors that are detrimental to our health—inactivity leading to weight gain and loss of muscle mass, eating for comfort (often unhealthy foods) or eating too little, sleeping too much or too little. Other unhealthy lifestyles include the use of substances, drugs and alcohol.
Ellen White stated that, “I frequently turn from the bedside of these self-made invalids, saying to myself, Dying by inches, dying of indolence, a disease which no one but themselves can cure.” –The Health Reformer, January, 1871
The ones who focus on the positive during an acute illness, often recover more quickly. They appreciate the ability to get out of bed, and maybe go for a little gentle walk and sit in the fresh air. While those who focus on the negative lie in bed all day, often breathing stale air as their circulation stagnates; their recovery is much slower.
The healthy person that thinks they are sick are at a much higher risk of becoming sick because of their negative outlook. “Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination. Many are lifelong invalids who might be well if they only thought so. Many imagine that every slight exposure will cause illness, and the evil effect is produced because it is expected. Many die from disease the cause of which is wholly imaginary.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 241
Many of the words of Solomon in the Proverbs provide lessons of cause and effect. He tells us, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22. When we feel happy, it is like medicine to our body; thus our own outlook on life can prevent illness or treat illness.
What is the science behind our emotions and the state of our physical health?
There are people who seem to constantly harbor a negative outlook on life. It may not be in response to a specific situation or occurrence, but they are always looking on the dark side, no matter what their circumstance. They definitely are at risk for a number of health problems.
Like mentioned above, a negative outlook is linked to changes in the immune system, including a lowered immune response to fight antigens that the body is exposed to. These antigens include toxins, chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or even cancer cells. Once the immune system response is lowered, these antigens have the capability to cause illness and disease.
Negative emotions also trigger inflammation in the body, which is linked to many of the common ailments that mankind suffers from, such as premature aging, heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis (weak bones), type 2 diabetes, arthritis, digestive issues, some cancers, and an overall increase in frailty.
“A great deal of the sickness which afflicts humanity has its origin in the mind and can only be cured by restoring the mind to health. There are very many more than we imagine who are sick mentally. Heart sickness makes many dyspeptics, for mental trouble has a paralyzing influence upon the digestive organs.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 184
Studies have also shown that a positive outlook on life is linked to lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease, better weight control, healthy
blood sugars, and increased longevity overall. This increase in longevity is also seen when an individual is suffering from some type of physical ailment.
Positive emotions stimulate the parts of the brain that are associated with the reward pathways in the brain located in an area called the basal ganglia. When these reward pathways are activated, there is an overall feeling of wellbeing. If this remains the constant state of the brain, it causes healthy changes in the body.
With negative emotions, the part of the brain known as the amygdala is activated. This area of the brain is associated with the stress response, and triggers feelings such as fear and anxiety. Once the amygdala is activated, individuals are at a higher risk of disease, and a slower recovery from disease.
Thus, scientists have concluded that the way a person responds to life, whether with a positive or negative outlook, determines his overall health.
Happiness is a choice. It is our choice how we feel, we can choose to have a positive outlook on life, or we can focus on doom and gloom. Thus, much of our health and wellbeing is under our own control. Through their genetic make-up, some people automatically look on the positive side of life. However, for others, they are not doomed by their genes; there is the choice to adopt healthy behaviours and emotional outlooks that influence health in a positive way. We can train our brain and our emotions into looking on the positive side of life, and in so doing, we activate those parts of the brain that improve our physical health. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4. The apostle Paul did not write, to rejoice in the Lord only when all goes well, and you are healthy. Rather he wrote to rejoice always. That includes in good times and bad times, in sickness and in health.
“It is the duty of everyone to cultivate cheerfulness instead of brooding over sorrow and troubles. Many not only make themselves wretched in this way, but they sacrifice health and happiness to a morbid imagination. There are things in their surroundings that are not agreeable, and their countenances wear a continual frown that more plainly than words expresses discontent. These depressing emotions are a great injury to them healthwise, for by hindering the process of digestion they interfere with nutrition. While grief and anxiety cannot remedy a single evil, they can do great harm; but cheerfulness and hope, while they brighten the pathway of others, ‘are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh’ (Proverbs 4:22).” –Signs of the Times, February 12, 1885
One of the healthiest behaviours that we can take on, to improve our happiness and our state of mind is doing things for others. Research shows that performing a good deed activates the basal ganglia, the part of the brain associated with positive emotions. There is a link between giving, unselfishness and lower risk of early death. People who volunteered the most throughout their life had the highest levels of happiness. “ It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
“The relation which exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health of the physical system. If the mind is free and happy, from a consciousness of right doing and a sense of satisfaction in causing happiness to others, it creates a cheerfulness that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood and a toning up of the entire body. The blessing of God is a healing power, and those who are abundant in benefiting others will realize that wondrous blessing in both heart and life.” –Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 13
We need to choose where we focus our thoughts, as from our thoughts come our feelings. Focusing on the positive aspects of life will trigger feelings of happiness and wellbeing and will improve our physical health. “We need a constant sense of the ennobling power of pure thoughts.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 491.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Helen Marttinen