How we think and feel has a direct effect on our physical health, and it is perhaps more important than ever that we monitor our thoughts during this time of unprecedented change and upheaval for the human race. Our bodies produce the stress hormones of cortisol and adrenaline as a direct result of our perception of threat. The threat may be very real, which means that the adrenaline and cortisol will be put to good use as we either fight the threat or speed away from it. However, many “threats” have their origins only in our perception of them. It is of course perfectly natural to feel a little anxious at this time when every single news bulletin brings more information about the spread of Covid-19 along with some frightening statistics about the number of cases and deaths. If we focus solely on this kind of information we run the risk of depleting our energy stores and compromising our immune systems. Stewing in a freezing bath of stress hormones will not help either our mental or physical well-being. So, what can we do to help ourselves?
…we have far more power within us that we sometimes give ourselves credit for
There is a marvellous book by Dr William Bloom entitled “The Endorphin Effect” that sets out a methodical and practical regime that everyone can use in order to produce more of the so called “happy hormones” such as endorphins and serotonin while simultaneously reducing the amount of cortisol and adrenaline that our bodies produce.
It is always valuable to learn how protect yourself and your health at any time. It is particularly important now as we are moving into a new world where we can open ourselves to ways of creating and maintaining optimal and effective methods for staying happy and well.
It is the role of the autonomic nervous system to regulate the production of hormones and enzymes that affect our physiology. Because this process is automatic it might appear to be involuntary as it stems for the actions of our unconscious minds. The autonomic nervous system has two branches, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. We walk a very fine line between these. The sympathetic nervous system control the release of adrenalin, for example, as an immediate response to a threat. If we had to stop and think about what to do in a dangerous situation we may well end up in serious trouble, or even dead. The parasympathetic nervous system on the other hand supports our immune systems by being responsible for the secretion of essential chemical and enzymes that help to maintain homeostasis and balance within our bodies. The white blood cells and T cells that make up our body’s defense systems are controlled by the parasympathetic system, so if we are able to control our stress responses to worrying or uncertain situations we are able to strengthen our immune systems and experience more energy and feelings of health and vitality.
We can all help ourselves in this regard by accessing our Higher Selves and the wisdom that resides within us. We are by nature Divine beings and we have far more power within us that we sometimes give ourselves credit for. By consciously moving into a state of calm, staying grounded and present in the immediate moment, slowing down sufficiently to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, right here, right now, we allow our parasympathetic nervous systems to do the job of protecting us on a physiological level.