By Paula Muran

In the world of western medicine, we have lost touch with the basic concept of true healing. We substitute a band-aid for a cure and wonder why we do not feel better. People get ill for many reasons. Each diseased state tells us that we are ignoring some part of self, and change is necessary. While many factors contribute to healing, and it happens on many levels, all require attention throughout the entire healing process. One important factor is the body-mind (emotions and thoughts) connection and how emotional health influences physical health.


Physical symptoms like headaches, swollen glands, sneezing and colds, including more serious diseases like cancer, indicates that there is a disturbance in the emotional fabric of our being. Negative emotions like fear, doubt, and worry stop the normal flow of energy. These emotions undermine our health, and over the course of our lives cause unexplained and crippling diseases that end up controlling us.


The physical body begins to fail often because we fall apart emotionally. Recent scientific studies have shown that emotions sabotage everything—from simple success to kidney failure. When we do not care for the “whole self,” the physical body simply mirrors those effects. Over the course of time, emotions like fear, anger, and stress take their toll. Repressed anger diminishes the functions of the liver. Hopelessness and despair play havoc with the gall bladder. Fear plays havoc with the kidneys, relationships, and success. Long-standing negative emotional beliefs deteriorate the entire physical being. A constant string of repetitive negative words weaken and can actually exhaust the physical body.


We must identify the root emotional influence. This process lays down a new foundation for good health and begins with a new attitude about being healthy. Emotional patterns are created when you place a judgment upon an experience. To change, we must stay conscious of our feelings in situations. We must learn to master our emotions by not letting them take over. We must learn to stay calm. 

Next begin to be intentional about your feelings, be aware of them. Ask yourself questions like, “What is this teaching me?” or “Why am I so angry all the time?” Be open to the answers as this will assist in identifying the true issue and allow you to seek resolution to any negative emotional patterns you are holding on to.


Supplementation is important to further provide the body with the support it needs to heal. Make sure you find natural products that supply proper amounts of vitamins and minerals. Water, too, must be consumed daily. Only 5% of the American population gets sufficient water each day. Diet drinks, high corn-syrup drinks, and coffee do not count towards proper hydration; in fact these drinks cause gastrointestinal inflammation, kidney, and liver problems and an acidic environment. To properly hydrate, drink at least half of your body weight in purified water by the ounce each day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds you need 75 ounces of purified water daily. Exercise is what keeps your body moving and functioning properly. The number one killer today is a stagnant lymph system caused by a lack of exercise. Take a walk around the block or take a yoga, chi-kung, or Pilates class. Reaching your optimal health is achievable. It may be a challenge but anything worth having is worth putting forth some effort to attain!