Even though positive thinking has been promoted for many years as helpful for our mental performance, recent research has observed a connection between the quality of our thoughts and the condition of our physical health. The reply you receive when you ask somebody how they feel will vary from person to person, but in most cases it can be quite a negative one. The complaints will vary from not feeling healthy to not being able to do the things they once could. The intriguing question for those worried about their health is whether changing their thoughts from negative to positive can help them feel better. So let’s discuss some ways in which positive thinking can better your health.

The most apparent way that your mind might be the cause of a problem is your mental health, and specifically the areas of stress and depression. There is evidence that depression can typically have physical causes but in many instances, it will result from your attitude to life and certain events. It’s advisable to include the unconscious mind in any treatment because many conditions cannot be worked out by just “changing your mind.” Rational therapy, which depends on the conscious mind, is often good in pointing out that nearly all of our stressful thoughts don’t take place. The subconscious mind is perhaps more powerful and this is where most of our beliefs are formed even if we are not aware of this. Hypnosis is a more efficacious way of modifying the unconscious mind, and the results will last much longer.

The placebo effect, which has been scientifically documented lots of times, illustrates conclusively that thoughts and beliefs affect the physical body in extremely powerful ways. This is when individuals are given a pill which actually does not have any curative value, and yet they claim to note an improvement in how they feel. This is evidence of the link between mind and body, and there are many examples of individuals with a positive outlook being able to recuperate more quickly from malady and injury. This power can likewise be used when exercising and achieving fitness goalssince the limit to what you can accomplish is based on what you believe. Until Roger Bannister ran a mile in under four minutes, it was considered an unachievable feat for man. Nevertheless, following this event, numerous athletes started to also run the mile under four minutes.

The effects of the aging process are also affected by how we think about the process. Some people center their thoughts, and their conversations, on what they believe to be the inevitable effects of growing older: pains and limitations. It seems there’s much truth to the saying, “You’re only as old as you think you are,” and our thoughts can be used to undo numerous of the so-called effects of aging. The fact that numerous people choose not to must be based on mindset and not having a positive outlook on what they can do.

Now that you are aware that your attitude can bring you a much better state of health, it’s up to you to take advantage of this information and set your intention to think positive thoughts whenever you can.

Baby, I’ve been down But never this down I’ve been lost But never this lost This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart Baby, I’ve been low But never this low I’ve had my faith shaken But never hopeless This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart And I’ve always been strong But I’ve never felt so weak And all my prayers have gone for nothing I’ve been without love But never forsaken Now the morning sun The morning sun is breaking This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart

While it’s clear that stress can make depression worse, it’s never been clear why this is. Dr. Owen Wolkowitz, a professor of psychiatry at UCSF, explores the biological connection between stress and depression. Series: UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public [1/2010] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 17621]

Uncle Tupelo

Stephen Fry tries to eplain the feeling of manic depression

Panel discussion on depression and suicide within the hacker community. Please see saizai.com for resources to contact if you want to talk, or join us on IRC at freenode #bluehackers.

Manic Depression- Jimi Hendrix Album: Are you Experienced?

Manic Depression- Jimi Hendrix Album: Are you Experienced?