Stress can lead to physical symptoms such as increased heartbeat, headache, tight muscles, back pain, stiff neck and shoulders and fast breathing. Over time it can affect your immune system, heart and blood vessels, muscles and skin. It can also aggravate stomach problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers, and exacerbate respiratory symptoms such as asthma.
How does this happen? Your thoughts can trigger what is known as the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the 'fight or flight' response which stimulates the release of chemicals such as adrenalin and cortisol. These cause the physical symptoms we associate with stress.
A ten year study published in the European Heart Journal earlier this year shows preliminary evidence that enhancing people's positive emotions could prevent heart disease. Increased 'positive affect' (the experience of pleasurable emotions such as joy, happiness, excitement, enthusiasm and contentment) led to a 22% reduction in risk of heart disease. Those who had no positive affect had a 22% higher risk of ischaemic heart disease (heart attack or angina). Before you start to reach for the Valium, it was found that people who were usually positive but had some depressive symptoms maintained a lower risk of heart disease.
It is all very well for those of us in the western world with the luxuries of full fridges, self-help books and plenty of time to contemplate our moods. What about people struggling to survive hardship? Is their health affected by feelings of happiness or sadness? A study based on a sample of 95% of the world's population, conducted by the University of Kansas and Gallup in 2009 found that it is.
They concluded positive emotions are strongly linked to better health even in a situation where basic needs such as food, shelter and personal safety are not being adequately met. The reverse is also true with negative emotions giving a reliable predictor of poorer health. Interestingly, the association between positive emotions and improved health was strongest in the poorest countries.
The body and mind are intimately linked and just as what we think can affect how we feel, physical problems and pain can lead to depression. In order to be truly healthy we need to look after ourselves both physically and emotionally.
Not only can osteopaths help with musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain but they can also advise on breathing exercises to aid relaxation and relieve tight muscles brought about by stress.
About this Author
Rebecca Bray is an osteopath based in North London. For more information about osteopathy and how it could help you: http://head-to-toe-osteopaths.com
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