Quiet the Mind

The best cure for the body is a quiet mind.
-Napoleon Bonaparte (Brainy Quote: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/napoleonbo150189.html)

 

The  Stress Response

I am learning more and more, thanks to the wonderful research by people like Lissa Rankin and Bruce Lipton, that most pathology (as we understand it in physical world terms) is a result of prolonged over activation of the stress response. The chronic release of Sympathetic system neurotransmitters like Adrenaline and Cortisol can reek havoc on our physiological processes over time.  This stress-response  system is meant to be activated in times of emergency to ensure our survival but for some reason we leave the light switch on.  We  allow the precious energy to drain away when no emergency exists.

The Relaxation Response

What would the solution  then be?  To  simply shut the sympathetic system off  for a while, and allow the Parasympathetic system (our rest and digest system) to take over.  We need to quiet the  mind.

How?

• Learn to meditate: In whatever form you want to...with guided meditation or simply closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing.  I read a wonderful book back in my twenties by a cardiologist named Herbert Benson (also cited in Lissa Rankin' s work) who studied the effects of meditation on hypertension and other type A related conditions. The Relaxation Response used the term "secular meditation" so as not to scare people away with spirituality and suggested simply focusing on a calming word as you meditate.  If one wants to venture into transcendental    meditation there may be even more benefits.
• Spend more time in quiet and solitude: get away from the electronics, the noise and the busy work for at least a few moments a day
• Spend time in nature; simply surround yourself with the quiet and sure heartbeat of the natural world
• Mindfulness: practice experiencing the here and now by being completely aware

There are so many ways to quiet the mind so we heal the body.  We just need to shut off the stress switch to feel better.

All is well!

References,

Benson, Herbert ( 1976) The Relaxation Response. Harper-Collins

Lipton, Bruce (2011) The Biology of Belief. Hay House.

Rankin M.D., Lissa (2013) Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself. Hay House