It's undeniably our inner feelings that assist us to put up with the highs and lows of life. What this means is - we should listen to nature's warning signals at all times, no matter the status of our health, or illness
We all know the remarkable connection that exists between psychology and immune function - in health and illness. While harmony between the two is suggested to denote optimal health and well-being, a 'sickening' imbalance between them is said to be the cause of a host of diseases, including tuberculosis and AIDS.
Though a fall in immune function is also often associated with psychological and emotional outcomes, it isn't a 'given' result that it should duly upset physical health, too. In other words, a plunge in immunological function isn't always a telltale sign that illness is about to strike - though it most often is.
It's easy to suggest that a virus may be the only cause of a certain illness. Likewise, it is equally clear-cut to think of changes in immune function being the source of disease. The real fact is - diseases have several causes, not just one, or two. Picture this. No two individuals too experience identical changes in their immune function when affected by the same illness.
What also tips the scale in favour of an emergingillness, in one individual, may not disclose any 'ill-effects' in the other.
What does this signify? That illnesses tend to have a far greater impact on the health and well-being 'weighing scale' of the elderly, children, and the unwell.
Not so much in healthy, youthful individuals.
The colossal scourge, COVID-19, was an unmistakable case in point.
The obvious implication is - a change within our immune system influences our psychological state and our behaviour, too. In simple terms, merely being ill alters our psychological state and behaviour. It can also lead to common problems, such as colds and allergies - while severe 'affections' are characteristically represented by a constant feeling of bad health, loss of appetite, depression and gross lethargy.
It's undeniably our inner feelings that assist us to put up with the highs and lows of life. What this means is - we should listen to nature's warning signals at all times, no matter the status of our health, or illness. It also means that we should consciously reject making sudden leaps of faith. Even in the face of our accepted canvas - the canvas thatconnects our mind, body, immunity and health.
Our immunological parameters are affected by physiological and psychological factors. A reduction in natural 'killer' cell (our soldiers of immunity) function is related to adverse consequences in disease processes - including viral infections, such as swine flu, autoimmune diseases and certain forms of can-cer. Consistent low levels of natural 'killer' cell activity, for instance, are suggested to intensify infections. Similarly, a reduction in white blood cell (WBC) response can cause illness.
Such changes are not by-products of illness. They are, in actuality, stimulated, or specific biological mechanisms - they act upon our central nervous system to bring malaise, exhaustion, loss of sleep and reduced hunger. The alterations happen by way of anatural blueprint. They aren't a result of mishaps. Is it, therefore, not a quirk of nature that such causes - physiological and psychological changes - trigger our body's own healing mechanisms to keep us out of harm's way and also assist us in the process of recovery? There is a 'demon' in our psyche, yes. It all depends on how you deal with it -in health and illness. The good, old saying, "It's all in the mind," exemplifies the expression best. Or, as John Milton wrote in purple verse, "The mind is its own place, and in itself/Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n."
It's just like going back to the beginning of time - but, it isn't an overrated maxim. It's, in effect, a qualified paradigm, an oft-used expression filled with sublime meaning. It's, therefore, time that we all aimedat balanced health, where our diverse lifestyles are well-adjusted between stress and relaxation - and, what we eat, how we move, sleep and rejuvenate.
To look at the whole idea differently, all of us are 'proprietors' of our thoughts, feelings and emotions. The troika is the open, also vulnerable, anchor of our psyche.
This is why we feel disconnected when we lose our touch with our old emotional state, or health.
We feel desolate when we are marooned by any negativity.
It is only when we 'let go' and transform our minds - especially in the absence of negative thoughts that were a part of us some time ago - would we be able to surmount the odds that are part and parcel of everyday life.
Paracelsus, the great mediaeval physician and alchemist, articulated that each of us has a resourceful flair in the arts, sciences and philosophies. Our imaginative powers are not just external, but also internal.
This is because all of us can generate thoughts and emotions, propelled by anything that could be set in a peculiar motion.
He suggested that there were many negative thought- and emotional-forms that caused energy blockages. When such negative energies generated damaging thoughts, on a perennial basis, it becomes difficult for us to operate well, or attain a state of personalised independence, or good, optimal health and wellness. This may, in the long run, turn upon us, triggering dreadful habits, including addiction, while impacting not only our health equation, but also happiness.
The philosopher Plato, likewise, thought that we are all in the same little boat as regards our overall behaviour, although the rational individual, as he contended, follows a life of wisdom, courage, balance, integrity, and not stupidity, fear, lack of self-discipline, or bias. Put simply, this means that if we were to choose physical illness over physical health, for example, we'd be foolish. If we were to choose moral and spiritual illness over moral and spiritual health, we'd be illogical. The inference is obvious - if we want to be truly happy, we must choose to live well and stay well.
Nidamboor is a wellness physician, independent researcher and author
A version of this article appears in the print on July 13, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
