Mind Over Matter
Our mind is more powerful than we know. In most instances we can practice mind over matter.
When a doctor tells you, “It’s all in your mind.” What exactly does he mean? Does he mean it’s all in your imagination? Does he mean it is psychosomatic? Does he mean your mind is making you sick? The answer to the question is that all states of illness and health is in some way psychosomatic. Things like genetics, nutrition, mindfullness, exercise, stress, injury, or an infection are influences that effect your overall health.
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Everyone begins life with a certain amount of stress and anxiety. Long term stress and anxiety unabated can send one over the edge into illness. You may have long term stress on the job or in the family, then suddenly a more stressful event occurs and it pushes you over the edge. You may have a genetic influence or a certain type of personality that predisposes you to a certain condition, It’s not the complete cause but it is a definite factor. All of these influences need to be understood in order to get to the root of the problem. An example is: Stress causes an excess of hydrochloric acid and is a large factor in ulcers.
Some people program themselves to die. They experience angina pain when their blood pressure and electrocardiogram is perfectly normal. They have no blocked arteries or physical defect to be found, yet they suffer pain, are depressed, stop exercising, and remove themselves from friends and activity.
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The mind set can influence the body. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. People can smoke, drink, eat the worst food, and live to be a 100. Others can follow every health rule in the book and die at 40. These people are exceptions to the norm. For the rest of us, diet, mindfullness, exercise, and stress relief influences longevity. Following that the best thing we can do for ourselves is to remain active, curious, and involved in life. Visit friends, read a good book, go for a long walk, make a bead necklace, paint a picture, take your grandkids hiking, Have a good belly laugh every day, and learn to laugh at yourself. Never be so serious that you can’t stand back and see yourself at your most ridiculous.
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Learn to meditate. It takes practice but it’s well worth it. Reach out your mind for greater understanding. Your mind is a powerful thing, don’t confine it to a narrow pathway. Feel the sense of self and your place in the universe. Know that we are part of something larger than we can contemplate and be confident and happy that it is so.
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George W Whitehead | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Re. what does the doctor mean when he says “It’s all in your mind.”
It’s like this, Ruby.
This is medi-speak for “I’m sorry, I haven’t a clue as to what’s wrong with you!”
ken bultman | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Just set your mind to it.
Christine Ramsay | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
An interesting topic. Well written.
Christine
Darla Cooke | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Interesting article.
Francois Hagnere | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
A very useful article. I quite agree with you. People should learn to meditate and see the beauty around them. Take care, Ruby,
François
Brenda Nelson | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
For many years I was a person who had major anxiety, but some how I learned to let it drop… I dont know how it happened but am glad it did.
CHAN LEE PENG | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Human’s brain is powerful. We’ve not used our brain fully. I strongly agree that brain can influent our body. Good article, thanks and have my liked it.
PR Mace | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
It is amazing what the mind can do. We all need to learn how to let go and relax. I really do. In the summer every other Sunday we go to the local water-park. No cellphones allowed. We swim, ride the water slides, float on the lazy river and read our books. I love these Sundays. I always feel better for them. Great article.
Mary Patricia Bird | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Very well said.
Lostash | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
We can all practice some techniques to allow the ‘mind over matter’ to work. I firmly believe that this really can work in some cases. Positive thinking and attitude is always a good thing.
clay hurtubise | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Ruby! Good piece.
I once had a Dr. tell me that, so I went to see a shrink… she told me I had cancer and to see an MD!
Thanks,
Clay
Tanya Wallace | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
A very interesting,informative article but when it concerns your work Ruby I have come to expect the best and this is no exception!
Karen Gross | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Good points. I had a pain specialist tell my husband that what I needed was some pampering. I should have gotten that prescription in writing.
Ruby Hawk | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Thank you my dear friends, I appreciate you so much, I can’t tell you enough. You know, we are going to have illness, and we have to relax and go with the flow. We are only human, but I do believe stress and worry can really set you up for illness. but there are some genetic situations we can’t avoid at the very best.
George, you’re right about that. Doctors don’t know everything even if they won’t admit it.
Clay, Did you really have cancer? Now you have left me hanging.
Pam, I like your recipe. I went to the pool today with my sweeties daughter and grandchildren. We went out to eat and played in the pool and on the board walk most of the day. We had a lazy fun day and I’m limp as a dishrag.
Karan, I want your prescription. I can always use some pampering.
Inna Tysoe | Aug 6, 2009 | Reply
Very well said.
Inna
Daisy Peasblossom | Aug 6, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article, Ruby. Karen, I think we all could use a little pampering. Boy, do I know about kid visits leaving you limp as a dishrag! But we love them, and one thing for sure, they do keep life interesting.
BeatsMe | Aug 6, 2009 | Reply
Wow. You’ve really shown how powerful our mind can be.
CA Johnson | Aug 6, 2009 | Reply
Great post, Ruby. I try to use mind over matter all of the time. For the most part, it works.
Dee Gold | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
nice article
giftarist | Aug 9, 2009 | Reply
Great article! Optimistic
WriteEditSeek | Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
I really liked this article. I’ve recently been reading a lot of material about the role of the mind in disease. I think that it plays a bigger role than we previously imagined. Louise Hay wrote an interesting book called Heal Your Body, which breaks down the psychological causes of illnesses.
Hazel Crowther | Aug 11, 2009 | Reply
Very good article,