Positive Emotions > Negative Emotions | Printable Version |
The Impact of Negative Emotions on Our Health
We all know that genetics, lifestyle, and exposure to diseases and toxins contribute to our health. More recently, some researchers have shifted their focus to studying the impact of negative emotions on health. Several studies indicate a direct correlation between the manner in which an individual experiences an emotion and his or her health. For example, a person who constantly interprets life experiences negatively and focuses on those negative emotions seems to have higher disease risk factors and poorer health compared to someone who is able to focus on more positive thoughts.
In the famous ACE study from the 1990s, more than 17,000 people participated to assess a connection between emotional experience and physical health. Each participant was asked if they had experienced any of eight forms of personal abuse or family dysfunction prior to age 18. Those who had reported negative childhood experiences were up to 50 times more likely to have poor health and diseases as adults. These diseases included heart disease, fractures, diabetes, obesity, alcoholism and drug addiction. This study is one of many that suggest that emotional experiences can have an enormous effect on our health. Since negativity causes a chemical reaction in the body, it is theorized that our immune functioning may be lowered as a result, and one becomes more vulnerable to catching illnesses.
Negativity can be a vicious cycle. Something bad happens (big or small) and we have a choice about how we react to that event. If we choose to dwell on every negative detail in our lives, we will be more likely to feel depressed, which in turn can cause stress and decrease immune functioning. One way to break this cycle is to work on reframing our emotions and focus on any and everything that is positive in our lives. While this may seem difficult at first, being positive is one small and important step we can take in ensuring a better quality of life
- Food Allergy Facts and Stats
- Four Tips for Moving More at Work
- Food Safety Basics
- Finding Your Inner Voice: Beginning a New Relationship with Yourself
balance
Positive Emotions
Positive Emotions and Your Health | VIDEO
Understanding Emotions
Positive Self-Talk: Your Mind Listens
Making Friends
Appreciation
Cultivating Gratitude in Daily Life
Humor
He-he Healthy
Love
Self-Love: Creating Authentic Change
Negative Emotions | VIDEO
The Impact of Negative Emotions on Our Health
No More Negative Self-Talk
Improving Emotional Health
Finding Your Inner Voice: Beginning a New Relationship with Yourself
Mind-Body
Emotional Eating | VIDEO
Soothe Without Food
Learning to Ask “What do I Really Need?”
Mind and Immunity
Attitude and Immunity
Brain Power and Immunity
Meditation | VIDEO
Change your Perspective with Mediation
Mindfulness | VIDEO
Mindfulness
Guided Imagery | VIDEO
Imagining Good—Using Guided Imagery for Better Health
Mind and Movement | VIDEO
Meditation in Motion
What is Qi Gong?
Hot Topics
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Cancer and CAM
Yoga as CAM
Disordered Eating
Order out of Disorder
Spirituality
Spirituality and Your Health
Power of Intention | VIDEO
The Power of Intent
Stress
Weight Connection | VIDEO
How Food Affects Mood
Stress and Weight Gain
Stress, Cortisol and Weight Gain
Stress and Illness | VIDEO
Stress, Health and Resilience
Managing Work-Related Stress
The Stress Response | VIDEO
The Stress Response
The Relaxation Response | VIDEO
Give and Take—It Keeps you Healthy
Sleep
Weight Connection | VIDEO
Sleep Well to Eat Well
Circadian Rhythm
Don’t Fight Sleep Time
Principles of Healthy Sleep
Ten Tips For a Better Night's Sleep
The Importance of Sleep
Insomnia
Can’t Sleep?
Five Surprising Causes of Sleep Loss
Blogs
Seeing Value