Over the years, it has been argued whether the mind and the body are two separate entities. However, during the past 50 years, scientists have been able to prove that the body and the mind work amazingly with each other and that they are inextricably and uncontrollably intertwined.
What finally concluded the argument was a study about Psychoneuroimmunology, more briefly known as PNI. This is a field of science that deals with the interaction between the brain and body (particularly the immune system).
In a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine in 1991, a large group of people was given a nasal spray that contained either saline or common cold virus. The subjects were not aware which type they were getting, and the researchers found that people who reported to be more stressed with their lives developed a cold, while those who were reportedly less stressed were able to fight it off.
On the Contrary, How Does Stress Make You Sick?
Another study about PNI showed that emotional conditions such as anger, fear and stress can release hormones that include adrenaline, cortisol and epinephrine. Instead of the body needing rest and repair after a day’s work, these hormones signal the need to fight or flee. This results in raising your blood pressure instead of telling the body to digest nutrients and fight off illnesses.
Your life has become too busy that you have endless to-do lists and fear of failure and you tend to forget to give the mind and body a rest. When you get the chance to finally have that vacation, you are most likely to get sick. This is because the body had gotten too tired from all the stress, so when it finally gets the chance to slow down and deal with bodily issues, it collapses.
So What Do You Need to Do?
Simple. Avoid stress and do what makes you happy. Whether it is exercising to release stress, cuddling with your spouse, playing with your kids or laughing on a Youtube video, it doesn’t matter. Make sure that you get a daily dose of happiness you deserve. Make it a priority in your life.