HAPPY HEARTS-HEALTHY BODIES

Do you want to live longer and healthier? Banish the blues and practice positive optimistic thoughts. “The mind is our most potent weapon in the battle for health,” says Lyn Freeman, a researcher of mind-body therapies for chronic diseases. “It can be both slayer and healer.”

An increasing body of scientific evidence suggests that happy feelings and an upbeat attitude are associated with better heart health and a longer life. With health care dominating the news, it’s now more important than ever the general population understands and works towards fostering this connection.

“People have been seeking healing through prayer and meditation since time began,” notes Dr. Herbert Benson, founder of Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Mass General Hospital. “What’s new is our detailed scientific knowledge of how the mind-body connection operates.”

Doctors have long observed a relationship between mood, attitude and heart health. “I see it every day in the hospital,” says Dr. Mindy Gentry, a cardiologist and director of cardiac rehabilitation at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. “It’s clear that patients who have a positive outlook on their prognosis recover more quickly and more completely than those who do not.”

Anita Fox, who was 50 when she had a heart attack, more than agrees with this mind-body connection because she experienced it for herself. “I am happier now than I have been for years.” Besides simple joy at being alive, she has made a conscious effort to raise her happiness quotient. “I’ve changed some things; instead of being a workaholic, I now take vacations and days off in-between. I got a dog and cat for company and take walks everyday.”

If your heart is healthy, a positive outlook may help keep it that way. For example, in a study by Dutch researchers of 941 people age 65 and older, greater optimism was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes.

In contrast, a negative frame of mind may tilt the scale in the opposite direction. Another study among 2,334 middle-aged men and women with prehypertension, which is higher than normal blood pressure, stress and anger were associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease within the following four to eight years.

What simple changes can you make to maintain a happy heart for your health?

Practice positive thinking: Our thoughts can make us sick and they can help us get well. “People who are happy and optimistic look at problems as challenges and they focus on finding solutions,” writes MaryAnn Troiani, author of Spontaneous Optimism, while pessimistic people look at problems as permanent and give up.

Count your blessings: Research has shown that people who express gratitude on a regular basis are more optimistic and healthier on average than those who don’t. Keeping a daily blessings journal might help you become aware of cultivating a grateful attitude in your life.

Volunteer your time: Whether you are depressed or just unhappy, doing things for others keeps your mind off yourself. Someone once said, ‘volunteering is the rent you pay for living in community;’ it puts you in contact with people and comes from a generous and giving heart. There are many wonderful stories of connections made working together for a good cause and has been proven to promote better mental and physical health..

Encourage exercise: Physical activity has been proven to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, depression and enhance your well-being. Plus aerobic exercise reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. For many, the added advantage of being outdoors in nature promotes healing and happiness for hearts.

From Be Happy for Your Heart, Linda W. Andrews
Thoughts Can Heal Your Body, Robert Moss