Emotions are the flowing rhythm of the fountain of life. Emotions are like water, changing in many ways. There is joyful and cheerful singing, calm and peaceful waves, the roar of angry, stormy waves hitting the shore, and there are times when melancholy or depression takes over. All forms of emotion are like a double-edge sword; they can be nourishing but also harmful. If we want to live a stress-free life, learning to manage our emotions is essential.
Emotions Affect Our Health
Walter Rudolf Hess, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1949, discovered the role played by certain parts of the brain in determining and coordinating the functions of internal organs. When we are in a highly-stressed state, our heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure tend to be much faster and higher, causing emotional anxiety. In turn, cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases. Excessive amounts of cortisol can kill millions of brain cells which leads to poor memory or even Alzheimer’s disease. Alternatively, our body and internal organs are in harmonious balance when we are relaxed, calm and peaceful.
In 1975, scientists discovered the Natural Killer (NK) cells which can kill tumor cells, especially those of lymphoma and leukaemia. Research shows that the level of NK cell activity determines its ability to function and this is directly related to our emotional state. When one feels down and depressed, the function of the NK cells is inhibited, whereas positivity and happiness promote its cell activity. Thus, joy, happiness, gratitude and love can greatly increase the vitality of the brain and nervous system, as well as promote a balanced state of hormones, and make the body’s potential capabilities fully utilized. People are more likely to be energized, healthier and happier in body and mind.
In Ancient Greece, people were already capable of differentiating between benign and malignant tumors. In the 2nd century, or that of Ancient Rome, one of the most accomplished Greek physicians, Galen of Pergamon, believed that negative emotions such as depression caused cancers to develop. In the 18th and 19th centuries when breast and ovarian cancers were common, doctors came to the conclusion that both were the result of negative physical and psychological behaviors. It was also during this time that William Buchan published his book Domestic Medicine and Family Physician. He inferred that cancers could be caused by intense fear, sadness or guilt.
In the ancient Eastern world, Traditional Chinese Medicine linked our emotions to the different organs. Extreme sadness or depression harms our lungs; extreme joy harms our heart. Anger hurts our liver, while extreme longing harms the spleen. Such examples are not uncommon. A typical example is Lin Daiyu, one of the main characters in the renowned classic Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber. Orphaned at a young age and having to live with her maternal grandmother, Lin Daiyu was aloof and oversensitive to words and behaviors of those around her. She was depicted as emotional and prone to melancholic spells. In one chapter, she composes a sequence of poems on burying flowers. Such woes and sorrows directly affect the lungs. Thus, Lin Daiyu was fraught with illnesses of all kinds and at times even coughed up blood. Her frail constitution caused her to die at a young age. In this modern era of festive celebrations, stories of people who experienced extreme jubilant moods that triggered heart problems are commonly known. Hence, our emotions do impact the health of our organs.
Learn to be the Master of Emotions
Emotions have such a large impact on health and psychology, therefore the ability to control emotions is particularly important. Daniel Goleman, who has his Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University and is the founder of Emotional Intelligence Services (EIS) in Massachusetts, USA, proposed the management of emotions in his book Emotional Intelligence. He believes that by controlling and managing emotions, we can become outstanding leaders.
However, there are many times when we cannot help being affected by negative emotions around us. How do we manage the numerous emotions that arise out of responses to the people around us and our surroundings? Here are a few tips. As long as we are determined to change and control our emotions, that is half the battle won.
- Take a deep breath, then focus on the number of breaths. You’ll feel relaxed and calm.
- An appropriate amount of exercise will ease worries and anxieties. You’ll feel relaxed within a short period of time.
- A healthy, balanced diet helps stabilize emotions.
- Put yourself in other’s shoes when problems arise. You’ll better understand their feelings and this prevents any negative emotional responses.
- Give yourself positive affirmations. For instance, say out loud, “I’m the happiest person! I’m most tolerant! I’m most magnanimous!” Positive affirmations elevate your positive energy and help to quickly bring you out of negative emotions.
- Listen to soothing music. Medical research has shown that tuning in to different types of music affects the blood flow to the brain. Some music regulates blood to flow more smoothly and thereby boost your mood while others may cause negative feelings such as sadness or despair.
- Be content and show gratitude in your life. Your happiness is not in direct relationship with the amount of wealth you own or how successful you are. In fact, it’s based on your state of mind. When greed overtakes you, it’s difficult to feel happiness. Whereas, when you understand contentment and are filled with gratitude, the beauty of life is right before you. Thus, always maintain a positive mood that can only benefit your health.
Meditation Helps Boost Positive Mood
Western research on meditation and cognitive neuroscience began as early as the 1970s and 1980s. In 1972, one Harvard University research study concluded that meditation could lower blood pressure. The reason was simple – during meditation we are in a calm and peaceful state and our blood flow slows. Through meditation, sleep quality improves as it helps us to fall asleep faster. According to medical data, experienced meditation practitioners could fall asleep within a minute, while it could take up to an hour for non-practitioners. In some countries, meditation has become part of routine practice in schools because it can enhance students’ concentration and learning. Meditation is also used in psychotherapy to eliminate patients’ negative emotions.
Some ancient meditation music has a profound effect and miraculous energy, making it a unique type of relaxation music. One research study stated that families who frequently tune in to meditation music tend to have harmonious relationships and are more tolerant and understanding of each other. There are numerous benefits from listening to Bodhi Meditation’s music, such as The Prajna Mantra and The Celestial Chant. Not only does it relieve stress, but also instils a sense of purity in body and mind. For some, the quality of sleep improved while others received inspiration to solve their problems. Grandmaster JinBodhi used this analogy to describe meditation: Imagine fetching a bucket of water from a river. At first, the water is muddy and mixed with sands and leaves. Allow the water to sit for a while and the heavier sediment sinks to the bottom while the lighter sediment floats to the top. Thus, the water becomes clear. The concept of meditation is similar. Meditation helps to purify the mind and awaken our wisdom. After sitting for a while, meditation liberates us from the frustration of obstacles and afflictions, and relaxes our mind and body. Instead of stubbornness and attachments, there is positive energy.
Whether we simply enjoy the melody and rhythm of meditation music or stay in a peaceful and positive state, constantly clearing intrusive thoughts and purifying our body and mind is very important. Face the world with a heart of contentment and gratitude and we’ll be the master of our emotions, living a life of great health and happiness.
