Mind Power and Health - Literature review Example

Mind Power and Health This paper focuses on how the mind can contribute to the development of the health status of an individual. It identifies two websites that discuss the power of the brain in the healing process of an individual. It analyzes the teachings contained in them, and thereafter provides an explanation on how the websites are relevant to the study. The articles under consideration are written by RealAge (2013) and Framingham (2013). Positive thinking has the capability of reversing serious illnesses such as cancer and other diseases. The online article by RealAge (2013) agrees that it is possible to cure chronic diseases through the power of positive thinking. This article identifies five different types of chronic pains that positive thinking has the capability to cure. These are arthritis/ joint pains, headache, musculoskeletal pains, back pains, and strain injuries. According to RealAge (2013), it is possible to cure these pains through medications and cold treatments. However, these kinds of treatments do not last long, and they are occasional. RealAge (2013) advises people who suffer from these pains to learn how to use their brain and body to regulate the occurrence of these pains. On this note, RealAge (2013) agrees with the assertion that the mind has the power and capability of treating and reversing serious illnesses. Framingham (2013) suggests that the mind plays a great role in healing chronic diseases. According to Framingham (2013), positive thinking affects the attitudes of an individual, making them healthy. Framingham (2013) further observes that hope, optimism, and the feeling that an individual has, greatly shape their attitudes towards life. This article denotes that these aspects originate from the mind. On this basis, the mind has a great impact on shaping their health status. RealAge (2013) describes how the mind can work in conjunction with the body to heal chronic diseases. According to RealAge (2013), the brain works in conjunction with the central nervous system, to send and receive signals to each other. These signals can include pain messages which usually emanate from an injury or an illness. RealAge (2013) further denotes that when an individual is healed, these pain messages stop. This is because the mind and the central nervous system cannot receive the messages. From this explanation, it is possible to observe that the mind-body intervention involves communication between the brain and the nervous system. However, this communication system can break. This will cause miscommunication between the body and the mind (Framingham, 2013). When this miscommunication occurs, then an individual suffers from constant chronic pains. This is even if the individual is healed from the chronic disease, or injury.There are many reasons that can cause communication break down between the brain and the central nervous system. This includes feelings of anxiety, depression, anger and tension. These feelings affect the mind, causing a negative message to be sent between the brain and the central nervous system, resulting to pain. RealAge (2013) explains that to treat these problems, doctors must develop a strategy that ensures a positive message is sent between the brain and the central nervous system. For instance, a person should initiate measures of replacing conditions that cause the transmission of negative messages between the brain and the central nervous system. An example includes replacing fear with courage, replacing feelings of hopelessness with hope, and hate with love. However, this demands a process, and there is need of a counselor (Tanzi & Chopra, 2012). Framingham (2013) agrees with this notion that it is the attitude of an individual that shapes their positive thinking. Framingham (2013) further observes that it is difficult for a patient and even medical experts to understand how positive thinking contributes in the healing process of an individual with a chronic ailment. However, she observes that positive thinking emanates from the powers that the mind has over the immune system. Framingham (2013) observes that optimism is an aspect of positive thinking, and it makes an individual healthy. She further asserts that pessimism is an aspect of negative thinking, and can make an individual unhealthy. She observes that pessimism emanates in an individual due to an increase of stress hormones’ level. On this basis therefore, Framingham (2013) believes that negative thinking arises out of failure of our body system to regulate the mind and the immune system. She denotes that for an individual to fully recover, they must stop having some negative thoughts. These thoughts include the perception that they are a burden to individuals, and that they are going to die. To remove these thoughts, a person who suffers from chronic diseases must look at the illness as a gift in teaching them to value each and every moment they get. By doing this, these individuals will create a positive attitude.This will help them to cope with the disease, or even recover from the chronic illness. Tanzi and Chopra (2012) observe that patients with chronic illnesses must know that in life, an individual must pass through pain and grief, as well as pleasure and joy. All that an individual should do in order to enjoy life is that he must strive to create a positive attitude despite suffering from chronic diseases. This attitude comes from the brain (Tanzi & Chopra, 2012). In conclusion, the two authors are right in asserting that the mind and the brain play a great role in the healing process of an individual with a chronic disease. Both of them agree that the mind and the body must work hand in hand to ensure that an individual develops positive thinking, leading to recovery from any chronic illness. For instance, RealAge (2013) denotes that it is the mind and the nervous system that must work together in sending positive and negative messages to each other.This position is confirmed by Framingham (2013). She explains that the mind and the immune system have a role in ensuring that an individual develops either a positive or negative attitude. These assertions are right. It is the brain that is responsible for collecting and coding the various messages it receives from the body. Any negative message that the brain receives will have an impact on the conditions of the pain; the same goes for any positive message the brain receives. Just as the authors of these two articles denote, positive messages arise out of positive attitudes such as love, hope, and optism. These play a great role in enhancing the healing process of an individual with chronic diseases. References Framingham, J. (n.d.). The Power of Positive Thinking | Psych Central.Psych Central - Trusted mental health, depression, bipolar, ADHD and psychology information. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from: http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/the-power-of-positive-thinking/ Kyunghee, L. (2005). Effects of Experimental Center-Based Child Care on Developmental Outcomes of Young Children Living in Poverty .The Social Science Review, 79(1), 158- 180. Magnuson, K., & Waldfogel, J. (2005). Early Childhood Care and Education: Effects on Ethnic and Racial Gaps in School Readiness. The Future of Children, 15, 169-196. McDevitt, T. M., & Ormrod, J. E. (2013).Child development and education (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson. RealAge.(n.d.). Mind Body Interventions - Using Your Brain to Stop Pain - RealAge. RealAge: Health Assessments & Tips, Health Information - Grow Younger. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://www.realage.com/chronic-pain-management/can-you-cure-chronic- pain-with-your-mind Tanzi, R. E., & Chopra, D. (2012). Super brain: unleashing the explosive power of your mind to maximize health, happiness, and spiritual well-being. U.S.: Crown Publishing Group. Read More