Paste your essay in here…According to research done by Glasgow University (2014), human emotions can be categorized into four basic emotions, sadness, fear, happiness and anger. Other emotional reactions such as stress, anxiety, and joy etc. fall under one of the aforementioned basic emotions. It is widely accepted that human emotion has an impact on our overall health and well-being. Happy people are statistically healthier than depressed people. A scientific study, reported the mind influences physiology in a plethora of ways. Therefore, it seems reasonable it should impact one’s health (Cook, 2016).
In 2015, an estimated 10.3 million adults had at least one major depressive episode that resulted in a severe life impairment. Depression can cause an imbalance in serotonin and norepinephrine. This imbalance may explain the connection between painful symptoms and depression. People with depression often complain of physiological symptoms. For example, some people experience changes in their appetite; they may eat more than usual or even less. This imbalance can also affect sleeping patterns. Some people may suffer from insomnia, whereas others find difficulties getting out of bed (Collins, 2017). Pervasive complaints of joint and back pain are common among people with depression, as well as gastrointestinal problems. It has also been reported that, 33% of patients with chronic pain and depression report suicidal tendencies (Kleiber, B., Jain, S., & Trivedi, M. H. ,2005).
Stress can also wreak havoc on your health. In attempting to define stress, it can become arduous because it is exceptionally difficult; because stress is subjective. Merriam Webster defines stress as a bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium. Stress can not be measured in an orthodox manner, in order to measure stress one must locate the cause of stress or their stressors. The top three reported stressors for adults are death of a spouse, divorce, and marital separation. Although these are the top three stressors, there are a wide variety of things that may cause someone stress. Stressors are not universal. A situation may cause someone stress whereas another individual may be fine. Through experience, I have found that stress not only affects your mood but also your body and behavior. Hence, under chronic stress one's physical health may significantly deteriorate.
When an individual is under an enormous amount of stress, it can quickly turn into a chicken and egg situation. This is when an individual does not know which came first, the stress or health problems. When dealing with such a large amount of stress, one may experience: headaches, muscle tension, irritability or anger, weight gain, loss of motivation, social withdrawal and overall sadness and depression. These are only a few minor systems linked with stress, if left untreated they may develop into serious health issues. They may result in high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and possibly diabetes. All are life threatening conditions. Stress is an unquestionably serious condition with grave ramifications if left untreated (Marksberry, 2017).
Anger is one of the four emotions that can be detrimental to human health. Anger triggers the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol and adrenaline in preparation for confrontation. This is
referred to as the “fight or flight” response. The bodies heart rate, blood pressure and respiration can increase, as well as body temperature and the skin will begin to perspire. As with stress, anger unchecked can be deadly, causing a myriad of health problems. Some of the health problems that have been associated with anger are headache, digestive problems, insomnia, increased anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, skin problems, such as eczema, and an increased risk for a heart attack and stroke (Human Health and the Mind, 2012).
Fear can leave a person practically incapacitated if not addressed. Fear is a response to a real or perceived threat. This emotion causes the brain to secrete adrenaline in order to respond to a fight or flight response. During a fight or flight response, some of our major systems shut down. For example, the immune system responses are “shut down mainly because the blood and blood borne nutrients especially oxygen are all directed to the systems needed to ensure immediate survival from the external threat facing the organism, once the threat is neutralized or escape is achieved those psychological processes resume their normal functions and operations. (Human Health and the Mind, 2012).” The on again, off again of this response does not cause short term consequences, but instead causes long term consequences. For example, “under chronic conditions of emotional or psychological mental stress, the continual reliance on emergency sympathetic responses, can severely compromise the ability of the organism to fight off systemic infection and other diseases by virtue of that decreased function of the immune system response (Human Health and the Mind, 2012).” When one has severe anxiety this leads “to fear, not only will they become more susceptible to illnesses, they will also have higher blood
pressure and sometimes stomach ulcers (American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation , 2017).
Another basic emotion that can negatively affect the health of our body is sadness. Sadness is sometimes linked with depression and may sometime cause depression but they both are entirely different emotions. Sadness is temporary unlike depression, some triggers are loss of a loved one, relationship issues, and financial struggles. This emotion can affect your not only your health but also your appetite and sex drive. When one is feeling this emotion they may be disconnected from their peers and become emotionally withdrawn. It has been recorded that sadness can lead to some issues such as, “constipation, diarrhea, chest pain, dry mouth, back pain, fatigue, headache, high blood pressure, and heart palpitations” (Energize Live Better, 2011). As previously stated, sadness can lead to depression, but it may also cause stress. Due to the fact that sadness can lead to many other negative emotions if left unnoticed and untreated, it has been said to be one of the most harmful emotions, both emotionally and psychologically (L, 2016).
There are many ways to combat the effects of these adverse emotions without getting stuck on a pharmaceutical roller coaster. Some of the most effective ways to overcome negative emotions would be; meditation, yoga therapy, positive self talk, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For instance, there have been studies conducted on the areas of the brain that regulate emotions and behavior. These areas have been shown to be different before and after meditation. There have been seven separate research studies that indicate these same areas to be affected by meditation (Steiner, 2014).
Yoga therapy, is defined by the International Association of Yoga Therapists as “the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the philosophy and practice of Yoga.” According to a study done by 480 patients at the Children's Hospital in Colorado, ninety five percent of the attendants said that after attending the group yoga therapy their overall moods had increased (Marianne ZW, 2017). According to studies performed at Harvard University, Pennsylvania University, and a german study published in the Journal of Pain, yoga may lower blood pressure, improved lung capacity, improved sexual function, reduced chronic neck pain, steady blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and reduce anxiety (Gregoire, 2013).
Another way to overcome negative emotions would be positive self-talk. According to the mayo clinic the main rule to positive thinking would be not to say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Positive self-talk has also been know to increase your confidence level and reduce the chance of coming into any negative emotions such as, sadness, fear, and depression (Pruthi, 2017). Having a positive outlook on not just yourself but life as well, will increase your chances to live a long and healthy lifestyle.
As stated earlier, chronic health conditions are on the rise in the United States and we can use diet to combat many of the conditions we face today from diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity to name a few. In the Native American and Chinese cultures food has always been considered a way to treat those who were sick (Leininger, 2016). There are increasing studies validating the curative properties of certain foods. Garlic, fish oil and green leafy vegetables are touted for their ability to lower cholesterol. Green tea is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants and seems to single handle handedly rid the body of many free radicals in the body.Salmon, dark chocolate, walnuts, avocados and beans are a few of the other foods known to promote good health (Gorin, 2008).
When combating negative emotions many people resort to the use of pharmaceutical drugs when one could overcome some of these emotions with a healthy lifestyle. Having a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just mean eating healthy, it also includes; exercising on a regular basis and also connecting with peers if you have heart disease it will improve your heart health. If you suffer from diabetes, exercise will help control your blood sugar levels. High blood pressure can be reduced with regular exercise. Obesity can be managed with a combination of diet and exercise. People who have long suffered with back pain, arthritis, and asthma would benefit from getting up and moving. A regular exercise program is beneficial for most people. Improving muscle strength, range of motion and flexibility is a way to lead to optimal health (Pruthi, 2017).
Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, diet, exercise all of these are a part of a healthy lifestyle, however having social connections are just as important any of the other components to this healthy lifestyle. According to Dr. Seppala, a Science Director of Stanford University’s Center, “people who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, studies show they also have higher self-esteem, greater empathy for others, are more trusting and cooperative.” People who live in isolation or chose to be introverts are more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and some may experience suicidal thoughts and or behaviors which may increase their isolation. Dr. Seppala states,“ a landmark survey showed that lack of
powerful anti-oxidants and seems to single handle handedly rid the body of many free radicals in the body.Salmon, dark chocolate, walnuts, avocados and beans are a few of the other foods known to promote good health (Gorin, 2008).
When combating negative emotions many people resort to the use of pharmaceutical drugs when one could overcome some of these emotions with a healthy lifestyle. Having a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just mean eating healthy, it also includes; exercising on a regular basis and also connecting with peers if you have heart disease it will improve your heart health. If you suffer from diabetes, exercise will help control your blood sugar levels. High blood pressure can be reduced with regular exercise. Obesity can be managed with a combination of diet and exercise. People who have long suffered with back pain, arthritis, and asthma would benefit from getting up and moving. A regular exercise program is beneficial for most people. Improving muscle strength, range of motion and flexibility is a way to lead to optimal health (Pruthi, 2017).
Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, diet, exercise all of these are a part of a healthy lifestyle, however having social connections are just as important any of the other components to this healthy lifestyle. According to Dr. Seppala, a Science Director of Stanford University’s Center, “people who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, studies show they also have higher self-esteem, greater empathy for others, are more trusting and cooperative.” People who live in isolation or chose to be introverts are more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and some may experience suicidal thoughts and or behaviors which may increase their isolation. Dr. Seppala states,“ a landmark survey showed that lack of powerful anti-oxidants and seems to single handle handedly rid the body of many free radicals in the body.Salmon, dark chocolate, walnuts, avocados and beans are a few of the other foods known to promote good health (Gorin, 2008).
When combating negative emotions many people resort to the use of pharmaceutical drugs when one could overcome some of these emotions with a healthy lifestyle. Having a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just mean eating healthy, it also includes; exercising on a regular basis and also connecting with peers if you have heart disease it will improve your heart health. If you suffer from diabetes, exercise will help control your blood sugar levels. High blood pressure can be reduced with regular exercise. Obesity can be managed with a combination of diet and exercise. People who have long suffered with back pain, arthritis, and asthma would benefit from getting up and moving. A regular exercise program is beneficial for most people. Improving muscle strength, range of motion and flexibility is a way to lead to optimal health (Pruthi, 2017).
Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, diet, exercise all of these are a part of a healthy lifestyle, however having social connections are just as important any of the other components to this healthy lifestyle. According to Dr. Seppala, a Science Director of Stanford University’s Center, “people who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, studies show they also have higher self-esteem, greater empathy for others, are more trusting and cooperative.” People who live in isolation or chose to be introverts are more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and some may experience suicidal thoughts and or behaviors which may increase their isolation. Dr. Seppala states,“ a landmark survey showed that lack of social connectedness predicts vulnerability to disease and death beyond traditional risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure.”