Mind and Body: How do emotions affect our health?

Mind and Body Relationship

The intimate relationship between the mind (thoughts and feelings) and the body is by no means a new concept. This makes sense since our brain and body share a common “chemical” language and are in constant communication with one another.

Below we’ll discuss how emotions can positively or negatively impact our bodies.

Is an emotion directly linked to a specific disease?

Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a formula as in “anger=diabetes” or “gratitude=better eyesight” then you’re in no luck.

What scientists can measure, however, is how our body responds to the biochemical reactions that occur from a certain feeling.

The exact mechanics of how the mind and body are linked is still a rocky road and needs further research.

For example:

Although there is a biochemical explanation as to why you’re face turns red when you get angry, science still cannot explain why those suffering from depression will often experience chest pains, even when there’s nothing physically wrong with their heart!

What then are examples of how an emotion affects our health?

Negative

1. Anger

• Frequent anger is associated with a heightened risk of high blood pressure and heart problems, including heart attack and stroke. ¹
• Leads to shorter lives.  ² Consistently angry people had 1.57 times the risk of dying early.
• Increases risk of irregular heart rhythm ³
• Even short intense outbursts of anger has its risks. An individual’s risk of a heart attack rose nearly five times  in the two hours following an angry outburst (compared to being calm and relaxed) ⁴

2. Work Stress

• 10-40 % increased risk of  coronary heart disease and stroke when exposed to stressors such as job strain and long working hours. ⁵

3. Isolation / Depression / Loneliness

• Linked to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. ^6 7

Did you know?

One of the most striking examples of how an emotion affects us is a condition known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or broken-heart syndrome.

Have you ever noticed that husbands and wives often died within a year of one another?

Emotional events such as the death of a spouse or financial worries severely weakens the heart, which mimics the symptoms of a heart attack.

This emotional burden transforms the heart into a shape that resembles a traditional Japanese pot called a Takotsubo, which has a narrow neck and a wide bottom.

Positive

@todo