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How emotions can affect our health?
The relationship between emotions and the human body
Since the study of the human body began in ancient times, scholars of this subject have realized that there is a concordance between emotions and the physical state of the body.
The human being can be affected, both in a negative way if we harbor bad emotions inside us, or in a positive way, if our way of facing existence is in balance and acceptance, with the situations we live in and the world around us.
Before starting to explain the relationship between emotions and health, it is important to make it clear that in order to live a healthy life, it is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This can be achieved by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, resting and sleeping well.
Learn about the relationship between emotions and the human body
Let's start by understanding what emotions are, to understand why they can affect the body.
Emotions are responses to external or internal stimuli, which have helped human beings to stay alive since their evolution began, approximately 300,000 years ago.
For example, when at the dawn of humanity, the first human beings observed a wild beast, this stimulus triggered a chemical response in them.
This chemical response would cause them to fight, hide, freeze, or flee; since in this particular case, they felt the fear of losing their lives, and each one responded to this emotion according to their own criteria.
Today, human beings continue to have this stimulus-response system, but applied to elements of daily life.
For example, a work problem could generate fear or anxiety; while successfully performing a task that we like, it could cheer us up, making us feel fulfilled and spend the day with greater enthusiasm.
This happens because the stimulus sends a signal to the brain, which, when processed, will send an order to certain organs according to the stimulus that was presented; affecting these organs and the functioning of the organism.
For this reason it is important to maintain an emotional balance and prioritize positive emotions, to have a healthier life.
What problems can negative emotions cause?
Negative emotions such as anger, sadness, and even stress, can produce negative changes in our body, mainly affecting the stomach region, contracting gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, stomach pain, gastritis, etc.
Similarly, these emotions cause many people headaches, or affect the cardiovascular part of the body ; impairing blood pressure, along with the proper functioning of the heart.
The immune system is another part of our body that suffers from emotions; Whether these emotions are negative or positive, the body will always be affected.
In the case of negative emotions, they can favor the appearance of some virus, due to the weakening of the immune system, being a very common example among these people, contracting the flu.
Positive emotions and our body
Emotions can positively influence the health of our body, strengthening our immune system and preventing diseases from having a place in our body.
This will happen as long as you lead a healthy lifestyle.
One of the main consequences of this is the segregation of hormones such as oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, among others; which will make our body feel better, avoiding diseases and feeling better.
We can achieve this when we do what we like, feel at peace with ourselves, or spend pleasant moments with the people we love.
Tips for maintaining proper emotional health
To help maintain a balanced life and optimal health, the following tips can be followed.
Express our emotions properly, many people end up suffering because of keeping their feelings, or repressing them; For this reason, it is always advisable to speak up if we don't like something or if we have positive feelings for something or someone.
Relax doing what we like, when we find an activity that we like, such as reading, playing sports, playing a musical instrument, etc., our brain secretes chemicals that will make us feel good, which will strengthen the immune system.
Eat balanced, there are foods that can cause us stress or produce anxiety, such as junk foods in excess, sugary drinks, or foods with a high fat content; For this reason, it is advisable to avoid excesses, and give priority to organic foods.
Exercise, each person of any age or physical condition, can exercise to the best of their ability; Going for a walk, jogging, lifting weights or hiking are activities that will strengthen your body, balance your emotions and bring health to your body.
The human being is a compendium between body, mind and spirit; our balance depending on the care of each of these three aspects; being the control of crucial emotions, for the achievement of a healthy life.