This is the most realistic of questions to those who seek to know more about the connection between mind, body and spirit. So let’s explore the numerous dreams in our lives and try to understand what we are doing to ourselves as a result of our choices and actions.
Many scenarios play out within the realm of our physical, mental and emotional/ spiritual selves when faced with sticky, if not serious or tragic situations. It is important to broaden our scope of knowledge for the sole purpose of acting more wisely in the future.
So what happens when you are …
Angry: This state of emotion can be triggered by stress, financial problems, emotional distress or abuse; an overwhelming demand on one’s energy and time; a disconcerting situation; deep, unresolved psychological issues triggered by a minor domestic or personal situation; substance abuse (alcohol, drugs); deficient hormone levels; low self-esteem.
The moment you have an angry outburst, you will feel the following:
A tingling sensation throughout the body due to the sudden rush of blood to the brain.
Increased blood pressure (which could send you to the emergency room)
Tightening of the chest
Heart palpitations
Headaches or migraine
Pressure in the sinuses
Fatigue
You will know you have anger issues, which may require anger management, when you are experiencing constant irritability and rage.
Unresolved anger issues will eventually lead to anxiety. Immediate effects of anxiety include nausea, muscular pain and tension, unexplained headaches, dizziness, rapid breathing, loss of concentration and memory and sleep disorders such as insomnia. Long-term anxiety could lead to strokes.
Now that you know how much damage rampant anger can do to your body, think thrice, not twice, before you decide to lose your temper. That’s right. Emphasis on the word “decide.” Ultimately, the master of one’s emotions should be yourself.
Atrophy
Lazy: When you sit or lie down all day, your body gets weak, bones lose their density (eventually becoming brittle), muscles start to atrophy. The human body only responds to whatever demands you put on it.
Take the case of Peter, a 63-year-old businessman who had an active fitness routine. While on vacation, he lost his drive to exercise. He didn’t revisit the gym and stopped playing basketball with his friends. After two months, he was alarmed to see his weight on the scale—a 20-lb weight gain. And he never noticed it. Worse, his arm muscles became soft and flabby.
Worried about his physical deterioration, he embarked on a “new me” campaign while embracing a healthier lifestyle.
Regular exercise ensures a steady blood pressure, weight maintenance, muscle tone, stronger bones and a calm mental/emotional state.
When you don’t like what you see in the mirror, it’s a sign that you must take immediate action. Otherwise, your self-esteem will suffer eventually.
Remember, for each day you laze around, your aging mechanism speeds up. Therefore, when you slow down too much, you will age faster.
Bingeing: The word itself translates to overdoing anything. In this case, it’s either food, sweets or alcohol, or all of the above. It can even be shopping.
It is a common thing to find yourself waking up one morning, only to discover several empty bottles of wine or beer scattered on your dining table, or empty boxes of pizza.
This is when you ask yourself, “What happened to me?!” Believing that you are rational is one thing but acting rational is another matter.
Whether it’s drinking, eating or shopping—clearly, there is a lack of self-control.
Psychologists say that all types of bingeing have an underlying cause. It has to do with negative emotions. Extreme overindulgence of any kind (especially when done in private) is connected to a person’s feeling of lack of control, a state of powerlessness which may include shame or guilt. This will require a therapist for counseling. But for the regular person out to “treat” herself or himself, what does it mean?
There is a difference. Most people want to live it up for a moment. Thus, you are encouraged by your friends with words like “you only live once,” so you deserve that extra slice of cake or another serving of pasta and an extra toast to the good life with champagne.
There’s nothing wrong—if you know your limits. Everyone has a different tolerance level for anything. Your guiding principle should rule.
Just remember that for every overindulgence, there is a price to pay. You could gain weight, suffer from headache, feel nauseated or be overcome with regret.
This week’s affirmation: “Life blessings are on their way.”
Love and light!