In truth, there has been science backing up this claim, but that was specifically aimed at the positive visualizations in kids with cancer. Now, there is strong evidence that positive thoughts and emotions increase vagal tone. What this means is that a very important cranial nerve which affects your heart, lungs and digestive organs communicates better when you are in a positive frame of mind, and more importantly, when chronic stress and negativity are present, the vagus nerve is often disrupted and thus various forms of dysfunction and health problems will follow. Here is a link to the abstract.
There are other examples of how positivity will affect health outcomes. Love, compassion and connection increase oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is often referred to as the “love hormone.” It acts like a neurotransmitter in the brain bringing about feelings of love and connection. In other words, love and connection breed love and connection. What gets in the way of this positive snowball? Well, life as we’ve created it. We put ourselves in positions where self-doubt, self-loathing, distrust, paranoia, worry, etc, become our dominant mindset. Patterns are laid down in our neural network (brain pathways) that define habits.
If given a choice, who would choose to have negative thought patterns and habits? Why do so many of us get stuck in negativity? Humans, like pack animals (social creatures) and even fungus, are connected. We are programmed to feel pain when someone else feels pain. Other than psychopaths and to a lesser degree, sociopaths, we all have empathy, to some degree. But due to our addiction to technology, namely TV, computers and cell-phones, we have become disconnected. This is why there is an increasing level of negativity (there are other variables
I won’t go into here, but at another time are worth exploring). Through conditioning and programming, those of us who have “accepted” it, will follow suit by displaying negative thoughts and emotions versus those that are supportive of others, our surroundings and ourselves. Sure, these thoughts and emotions would exist without any of the named causes, but it’s the establishment of brain pathways from repeated negativity that lead to trouble.
I can report that my experience, both personal and that with Patients, confirms this. I have seen thousands of people in over two decades of Practice, as well as teaching and giving talks. I can say, without hesitation, that those who are positive, move through treatment plans and get well, while those who struggle re-establishing a positive mindset, will also struggle getting well.
It may be because they simply derail a treatment plan at the first sign of discomfort or set-back. For others, it may be about a slower response to treatment which often leads to frustration and finally thinking that there is no hope.
If you want to get well, I urge you to open your mind and make a plan with yourself (and your Therapist, Health Practitioner and friends/family. The more support you have, the better.
Surround yourself with positive people. Turn off the News, get outside, focus on what matters; connection, love, helping others, etc. We have gotten away from the simple things that help us stay well; the things that keep us healthy but are so easy to take for granted. This is the “magic” behind Alt-Medicine. This is why it works so well. It is a blue-print that, when coupled with effective treatment strategies that are actually followed to a T with commitment and the right length of time, results are achieved.
I have helped many people through difficult chronic conditions and through difficult bumps in the road to recovery. If you have been blaming others, making excuses, feeling stuck in self- pity, bouncing around from one Practitioner to another and/or feeling like you’ve tried everything and that there is no help for you, please consider what I’m saying here and then finding a Practitioner who will form a comprehensive treatment plan for you and guide you through it.
Accept the work that needs to be done. Accept that you need to change your thoughts and practice a different mindset. Some of this may be uncomfortable, at first, but will soon begin to feel natural. I have helped doubters, skeptics and the like, but when negativity is a contributing root, it is not likely that the more difficult and layered problems will respond to care without changing one’s mind. In Chinese Medicine, we have a saying: “The Qi goes where the Mind goes.”
Our energy and function flow when our mind does. Focus on positive and positive will come about. You are more powerful than you thought! Now use your powers for good!
Paul Gerst L.Ac. is an Acupuncturist and Natural Health Practitioner of 21 years. He co-owns The Balanced Path Wellness Center in Medway, MA with Cindy Meeske LICSW. If you would like to Consult with Paul or have Paul give a talk to your group or design a program for your Company, please contact him here or call 774-283- 2726.