There is an Intelligence that guides every form of life including us. It is what makes a seed grow into a plant that then blossoms to fulfill its purpose in the grander scheme of things. It is the organizing principle behind the workings of all the systems of the body. And it is also in charge of the body’s responses to outside reality.
An animal that is cornered acquires extraordinary strength and speed. In a situation of danger or adversity, this intelligence releases cortisol and adrenaline which quickens the heartbeat, contracts the muscles, shortens the breath and guides all the energy to where it is optimized for flight or fight. These reactions also known as primordial fear or primordial anger prepare the body to respond to an imminent threat. Once the danger passes, the energy moves through and the body is restored back into balance. While often confused with emotions, they are the body’s instinctive response to an external situation.
Fear and anger can also come as a response to a real situation but as seen through the filters of the mind, through past experiences and concepts of bad and good. These are emotions and they are the body’s reactions to thoughts.
And while emotions of fear and anger produce the same kind of chemical reaction in the body as an instinctive reflex, they often create a vicious circle that maintains a chemical imbalance long after the event has passed.
The body does not make the distinction between what is real and what is perceived by the mind as a threat. It reacts to every thought as if it is reality. A stressful thought quickens the heart beat, contracts the muscles and shortens the breath. There is a build up of energy as if the threat was real. But since the danger is only a story made up by the mind, that energy has no outlet. Some of it is fed back to the mind creating even more stressful thoughts. The rest of it becomes toxic and interferes with the normal functioning of the body.
Adrenaline and cortisol, the stress hormones, instead of being released in a flight or fight reaction so the body can come back into balance, become trapped disrupting sleep, dampening the thyroid function and impairing the immune system among many other effects.
This is the underlying cause of disease. It is what manifests as all forms of imbalance and it is what must be addressed when there is an intention to heal.
The good news is that the body can also be fooled to release balancing chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins. There are ways we can intentionally cause these neurotransmitters to flow even when faced with adverse situations.
Reflecting on past achievements allows the brain to relive the experience and in the process release serotonin into the body. Gratitude has the same effect. Feeling thankful uplifts and creates well being.
Breaking goals into smaller pieces allows for a continuous celebration of achievements. This is linked to higher levels of dopamine. Creating new goals and experiencing their results as if they’re already happening, has the same effect.
Hugging promotes the release of oxytocin and strengthens the immune system. While your intimate relationship might be going through a difficult phase, the simple act of hugging someone, makes up for the stress that accompanies any discord.
Endorphin levels rise with exercise but are also released with laughter. Having a sense of humor in what might be a difficult situation increases their level in the body. Laughter is believed to be a great way to keep the doctor away. Fortunately it is becoming widely accepted by the medical profession that a positive mood is conducive to healing .
Mindfulness is another wonderful tool for getting rid of disease. It is proven that any type of meditation will reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels in the body.
The mind is a very powerful thing. It can make or break a body. Use it wisely. One of my favorite daily reminders is a quote passed on to me by a friend – “Worrying is a very poor use of your imagination.”
See yourself in health and wholeness and that is the reality you will create.
