Mostly our knowledge around diseases and chronic illnesses revolves around lifestyle habits, diet and activeness. We hardly consider emotional values and its role in our well being. Maybe this is why mental health is not discussed as much as it should.
In a recent post, Simone, a holistic cancer therapist has spoken about one of the most disturbing facts about the human body and mind. Sharing a video of Dr Gabor Mate, a Canadian physician and expert in stress and addiction, Simone has captioned it beautifully with an explanation.
In the video, Dr Gabor Mate talks about 5 personality patterns he noticed in people who developed chronic illnesses.
- Meeting emotional needs of others by suppressing your own
- A rigid identification with duty, role and responsibility
- Repression of healthy anger
- The belief that you are responsible for how others feel
- The belief that one must not disappoint others
“To heal the body, we must first heal our emotions! When we do that and focus on a clean diet and lifestyle, we make the body inhospitable to disease. Your body already knows how to heal. When your mind, body, and emotions align, healing happens with ease,” Simone explains.
“People-pleasing and suppressing your emotions feel harmless but can be the gateway to illness. Your body suffers when you silence your feelings, causing imbalances that lead to disease,” she adds.
She writes: Chronic stress weakens immunity, people-pleasing leads to emotional suppression, unresolved trauma triggers inflammation, negative self-talk disturbs the body’s natural balance and fear of change causes internal stagnation.
How to heal:
- Set healthy boundaries
- Process emotions (with journaling)
- Let go of perfectionism
- Daily meditation (calms the nervous system)
- Talk to your body (with gratitude and love)
Anxiety, when persistent and unmanaged, can significantly impact physical health, potentially leading to chronic illnesses. The body’s stress response, triggered by anxiety, results in the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While these hormones are beneficial in short bursts, prolonged exposure can have damaging effects on various bodily systems.
Chronic anxiety can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses. It can also lead to inflammation, which has been linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Anxiety is also associated with unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, or substance abuse, all of which contribute to chronic health issues over time.
Untreated anxiety can contribute to the development and progression of chronic illnesses by affecting the body’s ability to manage stress, maintain balance, and heal itself. Managing anxiety is crucial for overall well-being and long-term health.
Read the post here: