Take time to find the cure that is within you

You have within you a powerful ability to improve your physical and emotional health. A positive mental attitude combined with optimism has been linked to strengthening your immune system. Norman Cousins is a perfect example of this phenomena. Norman, a magazine editor, was 49 years old when he was diagnosed with a crippling connective tissue disease. He was told that he only had a 1 in 500 chance of recovery. Cousins had previously done research on the impact of human emotions on physiology. He had a firm belief that positive emotions were a key component to fighting disease. Cousins created a recovery program which included massive doses of laughter brought on by watching comedy films and television shows. He discovered that 10 minutes of intense laughter gave him at least two hours of pain free sleep. When the pain set in again, cousins would resume watching the comedies. Cousins laugh therapy aided his full recovery from the debilitating disease. In addition to Norman Cousins experience, research shows laughter decreases stress hormones, increases 'good' cholesterol, and reduces artery inflammation. You can actually laugh your way to physical and mental health. So, look for the humor which exists in most situations. A good sense of humor is an integral part of the cure within you. The placebo effect demonstrates the power of your mind to cure ailments. When new drugs are tested, two groups of test subjects are used. One group gets the new drug, while the other receives a placebo. The test subjects do not know which group they are part of. At the conclusion of the drug test, the percentage of people who took the drug and saw improvements is compared to the percentage of the placebo group who also experienced improvements. A fascinating aspect of these studies is that there is a percentage of people on the placebo who experience the same benefits as those taking the drug. This is incontrovertible evidence of your minds ability to cure various ailments. This power also boosts the effectiveness of medications. People who take medications have better results when they believe the medications will work. Your mind has an amazing ability to facilitate your wellbeing when directed by a positive attitude. What you say to yourself has a tremendous impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. Positive self-talk boosts the cure within you. Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own negative self-talk. Yet, too many people regularly say awful things to themselves. Dont internalize negative emotions. Dont connect a negative emotion with a physical ailment. For example, dont say to yourself, Im so upset I have a stomach ache. If you do this you are inviting the ailment into your body. Additionally, negative emotions are linked to lowered immunity. Release negative emotions instead of hanging on to them. Exercise enhances the cure within you by lowering stress. If you are stressed out because you dont know how to deal with a problem, just go and get some exercise. Even if you dont feel like it, just go do it. You will feel better. Acknowledge the powerful cure that is already within you. Stop any behavior which interferes with it. Focus on the strategies which enhance it.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit http://www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. Email Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper. 2020 Bryan Golden

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Dare to live without limits Week of 5/11/20 - Press Publications Inc.