Emotions turn into molecules, chemical messengers, in our bodies. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emotions are primordial in evaluating a person’s health. They are considered a normal, internal, physiological response to stimuli from the external environment. And of course, both, positive and negative emotions influence our wellbeing and health.
Gratitude
Gratitude is one of many positive emotions, and it has measurable effects on:
- mood regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
- inflammatory cytokines
- reproductive hormones
- the stress hormone cortisol
- the social bonding hormone oxytocin
- blood pressure
- cardiac and EEG rhythms
- blood sugar levels
So, being thankful and appreciative affects our mood and leads to more positive actions, reduces stress and improves sleep, and raises our performance at work and during physical workouts.
When emotions get out of balance
When in balance and within normal limits, emotions do not weaken our bodies nor cause disease. However, when emotions get out of balance and emotional stress is prolonged, then they can become the major internal cause of disease. They cause stagnation of Qi (vital energy) flowing in the meridians (pathways), which can lead to changes in blood flow, resulting in impairment of vital organ functions and pain.
Focus on the positive
Positive emotions can balance negative emotions and lead to more positive outcomes. So, if we are serious about our well-being, we should really focus on being thankful and express gratitude more regularly. Finding one thing a day to be grateful for, even if it seems insignificant, will help attract more good things into our lives. It will train our minds to focus more on positive thoughts rather than negative ones.
Whatever we pay attention to, whatever we focus on in our lives is what is going to be reflected back to us.
Let’s try it with this simple experiment! Look around the room for a few minutes focusing on red things; then close your eyes. With your eyes closed, try to name things in your surroundings that are blue. See how difficult that is? You probably won’t be able to name many blue things simply because your focus was on red. The same happens in real life.
If we want a certain experience and we really focus on it, we will go out into the world with the intention to confirm it. We will attract and draw it out of people, circumstances, the environment and when they reflect it back to us, we notice it. If an opportunity shows up that will fulfill this intention, we won’t miss it.
When we become aware of this, we can chose to focus our attention on positive emotions like gratitude. Being grateful makes us more aware of the good things that happen to us.
Be aware of your thoughts, they become your words.
Be aware of your words, they become your actions.
Be aware of your actions, they become your habits.
Be aware of your habits, they become your character.
Be aware of your habits, they become your destiny.
Lao Tse
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Source
ONCE YOU KNOW – A Guide To Preserving Your Child’s Health, Agnes Deglon
