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Respecting the Mind-Body Connection: How We Can Use Stress Management to Heal Ourselves

'It is important for us to listen to our bodies. It tells us a lot of information about what it needs but since we are busy it is hard for us to acknowledge those m

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Sara de los Reyes

<p>Stress—your back feels it, your skin shows it, and, yup, even your tummy feels it when those random food cravings attack.</p><div><br/></div><p>We talk about stress all the time and we certainly know how it feels, but do we really understand how to manage it and what could happen to our bodies if we don’t? </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/wellness/mind-and-spirituality/how-to-beat-stress-to-harness-success/38544" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stress Is Not a Way of Life. Here Are 10 Ways to Beat It!</a></div><p>We asked <strong>Dr. Anna Marie Garcia Lantano, </strong>a <strong>psychiatrist </strong>at<strong> Makati Medical Center</strong>, about how stress affects us in this modern age. According to her, living and working in the 21st century where we’re bombarded with stressors has increased our chances of developing chronic (i.e.: long-term and persistent) health conditions such as auto-immune disorders. That’s a big word, but here’s a quick breakdown for easier understanding:</p><div><br/></div><p>Auto-immune disorders are diseases that result from an abnormally functioning immune system. Our immune system works the way it should when it protects us from viruses, bacteria, and other bodies that could make us sick. In people diagnosed with auto-immune disorders, their immune system mistakenly attacks healthy, functioning cells instead of disease-causing organisms. We become ill because of our own body’s inappropriate response to what it mistakenly thinks are unhealthy, invading organisms. Essentially, our body gets rid of the good stuff when it should only be taking out the trash. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/25e778ae-cfb7-4a8a-816d-f4418e944097_luis-villasmil-mlvbmbxfwi4-unsplash.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><p>So how does stress tie into auto-immune disorders? </p><div><br/></div><p>The two are related because stress is basically what happens when our bodies are out of balance. Stress isn’t just a “feeling” like anxiety or difficulty sleeping, and it’s more than just random aches and creaks that come up now and then. We feel stressed, both in our mind and body, because our bodies overproduce chemicals that manifest as pain, stiffness, migraines, bloat, swelling, and other uncomfortable sensations. Stress is essentially our body going on overdrive and drowning us with harmful chemicals from the inside out.</p><div><br/></div><p>When we’re severely stressed out for long periods at a time, then that means our bodies stay out of balance for a long time, too. Our bodies continuously produce these harmful chemicals that make us feel bad. The longer stress goes unmanaged, the worse its effects are on our bodies. In some of the worst cases, stress and its long-term effects may increase our risk of developing autoimmune diseases. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/1c87c372-a469-4d9e-884c-c2debde7ef5a_anthony-tran-i-epv9dxg7u-unsplash.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><p>What’s an autoimmune disease anyway and why is it such a big deal? </p><div><br/></div><p>It’s a big deal because, as Dr. Lantano explains, autoimmune diseases affect quality of life. They’re difficult to treat and symptoms get in the way of functioning properly and ultimately, enjoying life.For example, Lupus, a type of autoimmune disease that targets several organs, may give people an overall feeling of tiredness and weakness. No matter how well-rested you are, you could feel fatigued all the time, and focusing on tasks seems near-impossible. It also affects mental health as it could cause a person to worry about their health and even bring about bouts of sadness.</p><div><br/></div><p>Psoriasis, a pesky skin problem without a cure, is an autoimmune disease that gives skin a patchy, scaly, and inflamed appearance. It’s also itchy and sometimes painful. Skin anywhere on the body can become affected and overly sensitive, making even the smallest actions like typing on a keyboard, putting clothes on, and taking a shower difficult to accomplish.</p><div><br/></div><p>And then there’s rheumatoid arthritis which affects the joints. This autoimmune disease could stop you from enjoying anything from sports and sitting down for a movie, to enjoying traveling and going for walks with a pet. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/wellness/mind-and-spirituality/benefits-of-a-social-media-detox/38431" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Social Media Detox: 10 Tips to Break Free From Digital Chains</a></div><p>These are just three examples of what autoimmune disorders look like.</p><div><br/></div><p>In actuality, there are over one hundred autoimmune diseases, and most if not of all them could be triggered or exacerbated by stress. You can also be diagnosed with more than one autoimmune disorder at a time. </p><div><br/></div><p>Before you allow this thought to stress you out, take a deep breath because there’s a way to manage stress and ensure that it doesn’t contribute to your risk of developing illnesses. </p><div><br/></div><p>“The connection between the mind has always been there, something that we can call a <strong>mind-body unity</strong>,” says Dr. Lantano. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Having some <strong>quiet time</strong> may help us settle down and notice what is going on. Developing a <strong>mindfulness practice</strong> may help us notice those changes and do something about them early on,” she continues.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/f09f8ada-bedf-4f93-9f36-eeeb2244b7fb_tatum-bergen-rq9tp8ymssy-unsplash.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><p>As it seems, rule number one in protecting ourselves from autoimmune disease is to respect the mind-body connection. Our minds are not separate entities from our bodies, and by taking care of one, you take care of the other, too. Don’t wait for stress to become so extreme that filing a sick day at work becomes necessary. </p><div><br/></div><p>“It is important for us to listen to our bodies. It tells us a lot of information about what it needs but since we are busy it is hard for us to acknowledge those messages. A person manifesting aches in the body may not notice them until they are already severe,” she explains. </p><div><br/></div><blockquote>“It is important for us to listen to our bodies. It tells us a lot of information about what it needs but since we are busy it is hard for us to acknowledge those messages.</blockquote><div><br/></div><p>You might hate to hear it, but Dr. Lantano adds to this by emphasizing the need for a <strong>healthy diet </strong>and<strong> regular exercise</strong>. Both these things lessen stress, and when stress is controlled, then the chances of developing disease are curbed.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/wellness/health/vacation-villas-south-of-manila/38533" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 Vacation Villas to Visit in the South for a Weekend of Wellness</a></div><p>She states, “In general, the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle should be a priority. This includes consuming nutrient-rich and whole foods, depending on the requirement for each [autoimmune] disorder. Having stress management practices like exercise, meditation, and spiritual practice may help manage [stress] and the difficulties connected to living with an autoimmune disorder. Connecting with people who are supportive generally increases the feeling of well-being. This is how the human race [has survived for eons]—by being together. Sleep of sufficient duration, appropriate timing, and good quality (also) does a lot of help,” she concludes. </p><div><br/></div><p>More than waiting for a prescription to be given to us, we can try to be our own medicine. By acknowledging how the mind can affect our bodies, we can both hurt and heal ourselves. Practice doing the latter to live better. Even with the need for medication to keep certain diseases under control, it is always a good idea to keep stress in check. </p><div><br/></div><p>By doing so, we protect ourselves from autoimmune diseases and other illnesses, giving us our well-deserved privilege to live healthily and happily.</p><div><br/></div><p>Special thanks to <strong>Dr. Anna Marie Garcia Lantano</strong> and <strong>Makati Medical Center</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/wellness/mind-and-spirituality/benefits-of-hobbies-on-mental-health-and-happiness/37661" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">These Hobbyists Share the Benefits &amp; Joy of Their Creative Outlets</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/wellness/mind-and-spirituality/how-childhood-hobbies-make-you-a-happier-adult/37391" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">How Creative Childhood Hobbies Can Help You Be a Better &amp; Happier Adult</a></div>

'It is important for us to listen to our bodies. It tells us a lot of information about what it needs but since we are busy it is hard for us to acknowledge those messages.'