The Mind-Body Connection
| For as he thinks in his
heart, so is he. Prov. 23:7, NKJV. |
It's accepted
knowledge that a strong connection exists between the body and the mind.
Even a slight deficiency of 30 or 40 known nutrients can alter the biochemistry
and function of the brain and result in such common emotional problems
as irritability, fatigue, and depression. In order for the brain to transmit
signals efficiently, it has to have just the right amounts of certain nutrients.
What we put into our bodies does affect our minds.
But there is also a mind-body
connection. As Mark Richliu, former executive editor of Prevention magazine
says: "Your thoughts and feelings are the nutrition of your mind. Just
as we need a certain balance of vitamins, protein, and other nutrients
to help our bodies reach maximum health and energy levels, each of us needs
a specific balance of mental 'nutrients' for a happy, tranquil, and creative
mind. . . . People who have close ties to others, who share time and thoughts
and worries and laughter with kindred souls, reap profound health benefits."
Although Richliu based his
statement on recent scientific research, the idea of a mind-body connection
is not really new. Here are a few amazing statements—amazing because they
were published in 1905 when the rest of the world was oblivious to the
influence of the mind on the body.
"The relation that exists
between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the
other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far
greater degree than many realize. . . . Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse,
guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay
and death. . . . Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and
prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body
and strength to the soul. 'A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a
medicine' (Prov. 17:22).
"In the treatment of the
sick the effect of mental influence should not be overlooked. Rightly used,
this influence affords one of the most effective agencies for combating
disease" (The Ministry of Healing, p. 241).
| When a negative thought flashes into
your mind, push it out with a positive Bible promise. |
|