Mind-Body medicine is a term to describe how our thinking affects how our bodies feel. Not just how we feel but whether or not we get sick and whether or not we can heal. Mind-Body medicine focuses on the interactions between mind and body and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social and spiritual factors can directly affect health. If you have ever gone through a very stressful or worrisome time in your life, did it affect your body's ability to fight off illnesses? Do you remember getting sick more often during this time?

I remember a time when I was living in a very stressful time with a lot of family problems. I was sick all of the time. I had severe headaches, stomach problems, bowel problems and back problems. I wasn't in very good shape either physically or mentally. At the time I didn't realize how much my mental state was affecting my physical health. Looking back I can see it so clearly. I guess this is what is called hindsight. Now I am seeing my past health problems from a new perspective. I believe that so much of how we feel physically is directly related to how we are thinking and reacting to the events in our lives.

Our bodies are amazing. They are a perfect creation with so many complex functions. We have to take care of our bodies by eating healthy foods, exercising and getting enough rest. We have to nourish our bodies. We also have to nourish our minds and spirits in the same way. Do you realize that your thoughts are energy? Good thoughts, bad thoughts, happy or sad thoughts ? they go out into the world and affect others. They also affect how you feel. I would suggest that if you are not feeling well take a look inside, at your own thoughts, at the energy you are putting out into the world and holding inside your own body. Is it negative energy or positive energy? We all experience both types but do you make a conscious effect to think positive and good thoughts? Sometimes we feel so stressed out and busy that it is hard to put a conscious effort into what we are thinking. It seems easier to think of what we are worried about and focus on that instead of focusing on the outcome and seeing a good and positive resolution to our problems. This can be the reason that so many people just are not feeling good. What can we do to change? Meditation and prayer are two ways some people try to change. There are many other ways as well such as bio-feedback and hypnosis for instance.

There is an exercise you may want to try. I do this when I'm walking outside but you can do it anywhere you feel comfortable and relaxed: Close your eyes and breathe in deeply several times. As you are breathing in imagine you are breathing in the pure white light of Good, Health, Tranquility, Peace. Then exhale deeply and visualize that all of the stress, negative thoughts and worries are being pushed out in a black cloud. Breathe in the pure white light again and exhale out the black cloud of everything not good in your mind and body. Repeat this as long as you want or until there isn't anymore black cloud to blow out. If you do this you will feel lighter, more peaceful and rejuvenated.

My last thought is an example of how someone I know uses her thinking to help herself physically. She is a woman going through menopause and using all the natural products (natural progesterone cream, menopause herbs) and is feeling pretty good most of the time but still having hot flashes. When she feels the hot flash coming she imagines having ice cold water poured over her. She keeps that image in her mind and keeps visualizing the ice water pouring down on her and feeling the cool water. When she does this the hot flash is a lot shorter in duration and less severe. I have tried this and it really works! To me this proves how much our thinking affects what our bodies are experiencing. The term "mind over matter" is very accurate.

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