We all want mens sana en corpore sano, a “sound mind in a sound body.” Maybe the Romans had it backward. Maybe it should read, “sound body in a sound mind.” Before you start promising to eat better and exercise more, you’d better first put your mind to improving what may be the most critical foundation of a healthier life—your own mental attitude.
Hundreds of studies have determined that emotions and mental states affect our physical bodies. If you have doubts, recall the last time you spoke before a crowd or sat in a doctor’s waiting room. Sweaty palms, butterfly stomach, palpitating heart—if your mind can make you feel like that, why can’t it make you feel great?
It can. A simple smile can change your whole mood. Relaxation techniques like biofeedback and meditation are already standard therapies in the treatment of many life-threatening illnesses. It’s been proven that people who are constantly angry or frustrated often have higher blood pressure and greater probability of heart disease and stroke.
In my physical therapy practice, I’ve noticed that quite often, two people with the same ailment can have two completely different reactions. One will continue enjoying life while the other will slip into abject misery. This has led me to categorize my patients as those who find the glass half empty and those who believe the glass is half full. For the half empty group, a pain in the knee means they are crippled. It’s as if they want to be sick, to surrender all responsibility of their overall health.
The others, the glass half full, have a different reaction to knee pain. They may not be able to run in a marathon, but at least they can still get to the store. They focus on what they can do and the strengths they still have, not what they are lacking. Have a positive attitude and you’ll most certainly have a better chance of recovery. Of course, now and then you’ll get angry or depressed; no one can go around smiling all of the time.
Remember, there is always someone with much worse problems than yours. Focus on the positive, not the negative and things can and will improve.
Sierra Canyon Physical Therapy is located at 27225 Camp Plenty Road, Suite 6 in Canyon Country. Marc Levine can be contacted at 661-298-0140.