2. Healthy Mind / Healthy Body
In the east, it is said our mental life
affects our body like writing on water
with a finger (Dacher, 2006)
3. Mental Fitness
• What is it / where did it come from
• Proven benefits
– Henry Bennett Study (1986)
– Ornish Lifestyle Heart Trial (1990)
– Davidson Study (2003)
• Improving my own mental/spiritual focus
• Take away
4. What is Mental Fitness?
The ability to move your thought and focus from
the external to the internal.
The result is a calm mind, larger capacity to love,
reduced stress, and a feeling of being connected
to the world (Dacher, 2006).
5. Where did it come from?
Origin of Psychology - 130 years
Origin of Biofeedback - 50 years
Developmental Psychology - 50 years
Relaxation Techniques - 30 years
Psychoneuroimmunology - 25 years
The East has been investigating the mind for over
2500 years (Dacher, 2006)
6. Henry Bennett Study (1986)
• Group consisted of 94 patients
– Control group
– Group receiving site preparation information
• Results
– Control group required 900 cubic centimeters of blood
– Therapy group required 500 cubic centimeters of
blood.
• Conclusion
– Patients were successful in altering body function
through suggestion and powers of the mind (Schlitz,
Amorok & Micozzi, 2005).
7. Ornish Lifestyle Heart Trial (1990)
• Group consisting of 48 heart patients
– Control group
– Group enrolled in Lifestyle Program
• Results (after 1 year)
– Control Group
• 165% increase in chest pain
• Decrease in blood flow to heart
• Increase in coronary artery blockages
• Progression of disease and symptoms
8. Ornish Lifestyle Heart Trial (1990) – cont.
– Therapy Group
• 91% reduction in chest pain
• 40% lower blood cholesterol levels
• Increased blood flow to heart
• Reversal of coronary artery build-up
• 4 year improvement rate
• Conclusion
– Illnesses of the physical heart can be tied to ailment of
the spiritual heart (Schlitz, Amorok & Micozzi, 2005).
– A change in mind can affect a change in health.
9. Davidson Study (2003)
• Group consisted of 94 patients
– Control group
– Group receiving stress reduction course
• Results
– Therapy group showed a reduction in negative
emotions & stress level
– Therapy group showed increased response to vaccine
• Conclusion
– Health and mindset are not predetermined. A trained
mind can change body response and mental state
(Dacher, 2006).
10. Improving my Own Mental Focus
• Forgiveness
– Letting go of anger, hurt, and resentment will open
your heart and mind to strength and healing.
• Remember: Living well is the best revenge.
• Only set expectations for yourself, not others (Schlitz,
Amoro, & Micozzi, 2005)
• Subtle Mind Exercise
– Concentrated breathing, calming your thoughts, and
focusing your mind unites mind/body/soul.
• Start with 10 deep breaths
• If your mind wanders, slowly bring your focus back
• Remember that it takes practice (Dacher, 2006)
11. Take Away
• Mind over Matter
• Our Spiritual being is equally as important as
our Physical being.
• It is Never too Late
12. References
Dacher, E.S. (2006) Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Basic
Health Publications: Laguna Beach, CA
Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., Micozzi, M. (2005) Consciousness & Healing: Integral
Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. Elsevier Churchill Livingston.: St.
Louis, MO.
Notes de l'éditeur
Western medicine has been studying the mind for a far shorter time that the East, who has been studying the mind for over 2500 years (Dacher, 2006).
Those involved in the therapy group received information regarding how to move blood away from the site of the surgery.
The lifestyle program consisted of diet, stress management, programs to assist patients to quit smoking, exercise and group support. One important thing to note about all patients in the program is their tolerance for stress (Schlitz, Amorok & Micozzi, 2005).
Patients in the control group and the Therapy group were revisited after 4 years. Those in the control group had worsened, both in symptoms and health, while those in the therapy group had shown an even greater reversal and health benefit.
While all of the patients in this study came from varied backgrounds, they all reportedly suffered from feelings of loneliness and isolation .
Those who benefitted the most from this study were those who were most open and determined to change (Schlitz, Amorok & Micozzi, 2005).
Those in therapy group were receiving 8 week course in stress reduction and meditation after receiving flu vaccine. Control group received vaccine before taking course.
Participants were evaluated using written assessments of brain activity and emotions as well as their immunity response to the flu vaccine. Therapy participants were compared to control group as well as their own results at the beginning of the study.
Learning to train our mind can have a positive affect on our health and mental outcomes (Dacher, 2006)
Forgiveness:
Letting go of your anger and hurt feelings also releases the power others have over you.
Realizing that others will not always meet your expectations will lead to less disappointment, only set goals for yourself and work to meet those.
Subtle Mind:
Sit in a comfortable, upright position. (sometimes playing soft music or ocean sounds in the background helps)
Concentrate on your breathing, taking deep breaths in and out. If your mind wanders, slowly come back – concentrating on your breathing.
Practice starting 5 to 10 minutes – then increase. Remember that it takes practice – do not get frustrated if you cannot calm your mind the first few times.
Mind over Matter – improving the function of the mind is key to improving the function of the body.
Nurturing our spiritual needs is just as important as taking care of our physical body.
It is never too late to make a change. As proven by Ornish’s Lifestyle study, health outcomes can be improved by dedicated change.
