| You've probably heard the expression: "It's | | | | grow. |
| not what you're eating. It's what's eating | | | | |
| you!" This well-known saying reminds us that | | | | Stress can be a killer. |
| the thoughts we entertain can have an impact | | | | |
| on our health. | | | | People who go through stressful events seem |
| | | | to get sicker more often than those who have |
| Scientists have discovered that what you're | | | | less problems confronting them. But some |
| thinking actually affects your physical | | | | people thrive on stress. This tends to show |
| health as well as your emotional well-being. | | | | that the problem is not stress, but how we |
| Ulcers, indigestion, nervousness, high blood | | | | deal with it. |
| pressure and a wide variety of diseases can | | | | |
| result from an injured immune system brought | | | | When we experience times of anxiety and fear, |
| on by harmful thought patterns. | | | | our brains release hormones as part of the |
| | | | fight-flight syndrone to prepare us for |
| There are thoughts that heal and thoughts | | | | dangerous situations. When the body receives |
| that hurt. | | | | too many of these "danger" messages from our |
| | | | brains, our disease-resistance systems are |
| If you read this article through to the end, | | | | weakened. |
| you will discover an effective tool to | | | | |
| enhance your emotional and physical health. | | | | Stressful situations seem to cause increased |
| | | | illnesses in those who consider themselves to |
| Here are five keys to emotional well-being: | | | | be victims and who react with anxiety and |
| | | | frustration. |
| 1. Emotions tag right along behind your | | | | |
| thoughts, so guard your mind carefully. | | | | Others see stressful situations as |
| | | | opportunities to overcome. So why not choose |
| Your emotions can't tell if what you're | | | | this positive approach yourself? |
| thinking about is really happening or if it's | | | | |
| just an image in your head. | | | | 4. Make the right friends. |
| | | | |
| Prove this to yourself by thinking back to | | | | Select people who are cheerful instead of |
| when you watched a terrifying scene on | | | | depressed for the majority of your friends. |
| television on in a movie. Even though you | | | | |
| knew what you were watching wasn't actually | | | | Emotions can be transferred almost by |
| happening, you were still scared - weren't | | | | osmosis. Retired baseball Coach, John |
| you? | | | | Scolinos (from California Polytechnic |
| | | | College, Pomona), used to tell his winning |
| Here's something to consider. About ten | | | | baseball players, "Show me who you're with |
| minutes after you start to dwell on | | | | and I'll tell you who you are." |
| something, corresponding emotions will | | | | |
| follow. | | | | We need a positive social life that includes |
| | | | friends, close family members, churches and |
| We are what we eat - both physically and | | | | members of organizations. |
| mentally. Pay close attention to what you're | | | | |
| feeding your mind. The books, television, | | | | Those who have satisfying social lives enjoy |
| movies, newspapers and even the jokes we hear | | | | improved resistance to illness. |
| enter into our lives and become part of us. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Let wisdom from the world's greatest book |
| So what's eating you? Examine what you're | | | | be your guide. |
| feeling and then ask yourself this question, | | | | |
| "What have I been thinking about recently?" | | | | "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a |
| | | | crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs |
| If you have a garbage can for a head, life | | | | 17:22 NIV). |
| will look like garbage to you. | | | | |
| | | | "All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a |
| 2. Learn to develop a cheerful attitude | | | | cheerful heart has a continual feast." |
| toward life. | | | | (Proverbs 15:15 NASV). |
| | | | |
| Life can be painful, but it's possible to | | | | Want to jump-start your emotional health? |
| overcome. | | | | Stop letting what's eating you hurt you and |
| | | | begin to enjoy life in a brand new way. |
| Choose to behave in a cheerful way as much as | | | | |
| possible even if you don't feel like it. You | | | | Copyright © 2004 by Patricia Wagner |
| may be surprised at what happens. | | | | |
| Cheerfulness is contagious. | | | | Publishing Guidelines: Feel free to use this |
| | | | article in your newsletter or on your website |
| A positive attitude toward life may help ward | | | | as long as the author's resource box, bylines |
| off sicknesses. Psychology Professor Sheldon | | | | and copyright are included. Please make sure |
| Cohen (Carnegie Mellon University, | | | | links within article and bylines are live and |
| Pittsburgh) found that relaxed, happy people | | | | clickable. To request an HTML version - just |
| are less prone to catch colds than unhappy, | | | | send an email to wagner.. If you use this |
| anxious people. | | | | article, please send a brief message stating |
| | | | where it appeared. A courtesy copy would also |
| 3. Deal with stress as an opportunity to | | | | be appreciated. THANKS. |