Mind and Body

Did you know there is strong connection between your mind and body?  Emotional change has been found to be a link in manifesting physical illness.  The way you think and feel can create activity in the brain that will affect messages sent to the rest of your body.  Not only does your mood affect you, but so do the foods you eat. Next time you eat, try to remember the following:

1). What time of day?

2). What type of food?

3). What was my mood when consuming?

4). How fast did I chew?

5). How did I feel after eating?

Remember, You should always start your day with a good healthy breakfast. It truly is the most important meal of the day.  Try to stay away from anything containing over 3 grams sugar as well as white starchy foods and baked goods.  To many bad carbs will give you a slight boost, but most will make you feel tired after eating.

When we feel stressed, scared or threatened these messages are relayed to the adrenal glands which alerts us to "fight or flight".  Adrenaline andnoradrenaline are secreted by adrenal glands producing a variety of changes in our bodies:

(Fight Alert - Protect- Stand Ground)

Increased heart rate or palpitations, increased respiration, tightened muscles ready for action, increase in blood pressure, goose-bumps as blood  supply to the skin is restricted to increase blood supply to the muscles.  Diversion of blood away from the digestive tract so that the digestive system stops working properly and temporarily shuts down. Dry mouth, enlargement of the pupils and it also affects mobilization of the liver's energy to store and release of glucose into the bloodstream.  Decrease of urine output as blood flow to the  kidneys is reduced and inhibition o f the  immune system.

(Flight Alert - Scared - Nervousness)

High blood pressure, heart problems, hyper acidity in the stomach, gastritis and peptic ulcers, bowel problems such as: irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and colitis, recurrent infection or yeast infections, headache or migraine, skin problems,menstrual pain and irregularities mescletension or back problems, insomnia (especially when you have a lot on your mind) depression, fatigue, poor mental performance, poor circulation as well as sexual problems.

So, it is not hard for us to see how our thoughts and feelings can profoundly influence our metabolism, our hormone balance and fertility.  If you are prone to stress, there is plenty you can do to help your ability to cope, and not lead you to emotional or physical problems.

It is  also important to eat regularly to prevent falls in blood sugar which can alter feelings of stress.

Still in the works on this article - Motherly duty calls - Will update article soon!