1. Stress Management The Mind/Body Connection

2. The Mind/Body Connection “A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world” - John Locke, philosopher, 1693 What is going on in your mind determines what is happening in your body

3. Psychological Health Encompasses both emotional and mental health Awareness and control of thoughts and feelings Emotional health – Feelings Mental health – the mind is engaged in a lively interaction internally and with the world around you

4. Role of Chronic Stress in Disease Chronic stress may result from: 1. Many repeated bouts of acute stress 2. Life conditions (ex. difficult job situation) Direct effects – Physiological changes in the body Indirect effects – Change in behavior – ex. drink more alcohol, coffee

5. Medium-Term Chronic Stress Some effects include: muscle tension and pain headaches fatigue upset stomach difficulty sleeping bruxism – grinding of teeth during sleep colds or sore throats Impact on the Immune System unable to work effectively when stressed increased susceptibility to disease and illness

6. Long-Term Chronic Stress Stress and the Heart relationship exists between stress and cardiovascular disease – cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States Chronic Stress Impairs immune system functioning May cause premature aging Is a factor in most common diseases and medical conditions ranging from alcoholism and aging to ulcers

7. Stress and the Heart Mental stress increases oxygen demand – blood pressure and heart rate are elevated Stress causes the blood to clot more easily Chronically high levels of cortisol may affect cardiac health by promoting inflammation that causes heart attacks

8. Stress and the Immune System Immunes system consists of organs, tissues, and white blood cells responsible for defending the body against disease Stress causes cortisol to slow production of lymphocites (white blood cells that kill infections) and the release of interleukin – making the body less capable of fighting disease and infection

9. Stress and Aging Chronic stress seems to accelerate the aging process by shortening the life span of cells, opening the door to disease. Cells of people under high stress aged the equivalent of 9-17 years more than people under little stress. A common factor among people living to be at least 100 years old is that they handle stress very well.

10. How the Mind and Body Communicate Our attitudes, thoughts and emotions can affect our health – 70-80% of all visits to the doctor are stress related Improved health may result from 1. Awareness of thoughts and emotions that contribute to stress 2. Conscious effort to control and change those factors

11. The Mind-Body Connection Psychosomatic illness – conditions that have a mind and body component Placebo effect – created by a person’s belief that they will benefit from an intervention Nocebo effect – causation of sickness and death by expectations of negative outcomes Psychoneuroimmunology – our attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and mental states directly affect the effectiveness of the immune system – stress has a negative effect on normal immune functioning

12. Blaming the Victim The mentality that disease is the victim’s fault is not a productive approach to health Some diseases are inevitable Our thoughts and emotions can dramatically affect the quality of our life

13. Conclusion The mind is a powerful weapon in the battle for health The mind can be both healer and slayer Understanding the power of the mind will empower you to prevent some diseases and also to promote optimal health.