Principles and Strategies for Health and Well-Being Managing Stress 7E Principles and Strategies for Health and Well-Being Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

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“By comprehending that human beings are energy, one can begin to comprehend new ways of viewing health and illness.” – Richard Gerber, M.D.

Stress and Disease According to the American Institute of Stress: • 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects due to stress

Stress and Disease According to the American Institute of Stress: • 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects due to stress • 75–90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints or disorders

The association between stress and disease is HUGE. The word disease is literally Dis-Ease!

Stress and Disease • It is estimated that between 75–85% of all health-related problems are either precipitated or aggravated by stress.

Stress and Disease • It is estimated that between 75–85% of all health-related problems are either precipitated or aggravated by stress. • The term “psychoneuroimmunology” was coined in the early 1980s to link the fields of psychology, neurology, and immunology to better understand the relationship between stress and disease. Not until the 1980’s did they officially recognize a relationship between stress and disease.

Figure 4.8. The association between stress and disease is very real! Source: © Peter Mueller/The New Yorker Collection/www.cartoonbank.com

Psychoneuroimmunology Theoretical Models of Psychoneuroimmunology Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the effects of stress on disease. Treats the mind, central nervous system, and immune system as one interrelated unit.

The Borysenko Model

The Borysenko Model This model classifies disease using a matrix (or quadrant) with the nervous system and immune system as the variables Over active & under active The mind/body connection = the more stressed me are, the more it affects our nervous system and immune system and causes disease.

The Pert Model

Candace Pert’s Research Findings • Academic stress lowers saliva immunoglobulin which is the first line of defense against upper respiratory diseases! • Academic stress lowers lymphocytes (white blood cells that help fight off disease! • Stress slows the healing process of wounds! • Stress (bereavement) lowers lymphocyte response! • Chronic stress accelerates the aging process! • Some emotions suppress the function of white blood cells and some emotions enhance their function! Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help the body defend against disease

The Lipton Model

The Lipton Model Lipton’s research at Stanford University revealed that cells have the ability to promote growth as well as the protection of their own integrity.

The Lipton Model Lipton’s research at Stanford University revealed that cells have the ability to promote growth as well as the protection of their own integrity. They CANNOT do both functions at once!

The Lipton Model A biological environment of stress negates time and energy for cell growth and integrity. A state of constant stress will ultimately compromise the integrity and vitality of not only the cell, but the entire biological system.

Bruce Lipton, Lynn McTaggert, Fritz-Allen Popp, and several others were featured in the critically acclaimed movie The Living Matrix, about the new science of mind-body-spirit healing. Source: Courtesy of The Living Matrix, LTD and Becker Massey LLC. This demonstrates that the mind/body/spirit/emotion (holistic view) connection in regards to healing is becoming more mainstream.

The Gerber Model

The Gerber Model The mind, as conscious and unconscious thoughts, exists as “subtle energy” that surrounds and permeates the body.

The Gerber Model The mind, as conscious and unconscious thoughts, exist as “subtle energy” that surrounds and permeates the body. Stress-related symptoms that appear in the physical body are the manifestations of “problems” that have occurred earlier as disturbances at a “higher energy level.”

Subtle Anatomy Maybe you now subtle anatomy by some of its other names: energy anatomy, human energy field, aura, chi.

Subtle Anatomy • The Meridian System • The Chakra System Two systems associated with the subtle anatomy are the meridian and chakra systems

The Meridian System Meridian is a river of energy with hundreds of inter-connected points through the body, used in the practice of acupuncture.

The Chakra System The word “chakra” is a Sanskrit term meaning There are seven primary chakras. Each chakra is associated with a specific level of consciousness. The Chakra system is part of the subtle anatomy or our human energy field. The seven major chakras align from the crown of our head to the base of our spine. When a specific chakra is congested, the perception of stress, disease, or illness may ensue! The word “chakra” is a Sanskrit term meaning spinning wheel

The Chakra System Crown Chakra: Spiritual growth Brow Chakra: Intuition, insights, wisdom Throat Chakra: Communication, purpose in life Heart Chakra: Love (ability to express love) Solar Plexus Chakra: Self-confidence, gut feelings Navel Chakra: Personal power, sexual power Root Chakra: Safety and security needs

The crown chakra is called the halo in the Judeo-Christian culture.

Figure 4.4. The Human Energy Field. The different colors of our aura represent different bodies Figure 4.4. The Human Energy Field. Source: Courtesy of Inner Traditions

Source: Courtesy of Lynn Gerber A Kirlian photograph displaying the electromagnetic energy surrounding an aspen leaf. In case you are thinking this is all “woo hoo,” Kirlian Photography allows us to photograph the energy field of an object Source: Courtesy of Lynn Gerber

Source: Courtesy of Lynn Gerber A Kirlian photograph displaying the electromagnetic energy surrounding the hand of renowned healer Olga Worrell. Source: Courtesy of Lynn Gerber

And disease results Each layer of subtle energy around the body vibrates at a specific oscillation. If one layer is out of tune, like a guitar string, then the entire energy field is affected.

Is immuno-incompetence.” “Thoughts are particles of energy. (Negative) thoughts are accompanied by emotions which also begin at the energy levels. As these particles of energy filter through, from the etheric level to the physical level, the end result Is immuno-incompetence.” —Richard Gerber, M.D.

The Pelletier Pre-Model Ken Pelletier has been studying the relationship between stress and disease for decades. He believes that no model is complete until certain questions are answered; specifically, the topic of consciousness…also known as the “Ghost in the Machine.” Ghost In The Machine = unexplained mind/body connections!

The Ghost in the Machine! • Multiple Personality Disorder • Spontaneous Remission • Hypnosis • Placebos and Nocebos • Cell Memory • Immunoenhancement Multiple Personality Disorder = People with multiple personalities whose different personalities manifest different illnesses Spontaneous Remission = the sudden disappearance of diseased tissue. i.e. faith healing Hypnosis = some illnesses have been shown to be cured by hypnosis Placebos and Nocebos: where a person believes so strongly that the medication they received will cure the illness that a healing effect occurs even when no real medication was ingested. Nocebo is when you give them a proven effective med but they believe it is a sugar pill and it still works! Cell memory = cells of various organ tissues hold an energetic memory pattern that transfers to the new recipient! Immunoenhancement = the idea that conscious thought (in the form of prayer, meditation, visualization) can enhance the immune system!

Endocrine system = glands that secrete hormones Figure 4.12. The balance between the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system is quite delicate when repeatedly affected by chronic stress.

Nervous System-Related Disorders • Bronchial Asthma • Tension Headaches • Migraine Headaches • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) • Irritable Bowel Syndrome • Coronary Heart Disease

Immune System-Related Disorders • The Common Cold • Influenza • Allergies • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease • Ulcers • Cancer

Effective coping skills and relaxation techniques for stress management offer a means to return to “homeostasis” for optimal health. Homeostasis = a state of complete calmness or rest