The mind-body connection is a powerful force. Studies found that people who tended to be loving, optimistic and happy had longer life expectancies than those who tended to be angry, pessimistic and depressed. Each emotion triggers a distinct physiological reaction, the body's program for dealing with different situations.

Sadness slows down the body's metabolism and causes us to cry. Cardiologists have also found that crying can reduce stress. Anger floods the brain with hormones that prime the body for action. Stress and anxiety set off the nervous system's 'fight or flight' response. In chronic cases, these reactions can lead to several imbalances and disorders.

A decade-long study tracked both men and women who had been diagnosed with depression. Forty-six per cent of the men eventually died from heart disease, compared to only 16 per cent of the women. The researchers theorized that the male tendency to bury one's feelings and to avoid examining or expressing them might have led to the difference in mortality rates. Interesting...

Reducing stress, playing more, re-invigorating the child within, meditating, praying, deep breathing, taking a midday nap, engaging in regular sexual activity and thinking young are some means to being young. The quality of life is not nearly as dependent on external events as it is on internal responses.

Disclaimer: The author, publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

CJM LeBlanc Healthworks, Centreville Mall, 121-342 Main Street, Shediac, N.B. E4P 2E7, tel: (506)533-8885, fax: 532-8644,
E-mail: charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: www.wellness-healthworks.com