How is the mind affected by the health of the body?
Stress and disease can have a big impact on the mind. Daniel Siegel, MD discusses the connection between the body and the mind.
Transcript
Not all disease, by any means, is created by stress, or even worsened by stress. But stress can worsen certain diseases that
aren't even caused by stress. [MUSIC PLAYING]
We know, for example, from a number of different studies that are coming out, some of them published, many of them not yet, that your presence, your ability
to be within awareness, and be present for what is increases the enzyme that maintains
the ends of your chromosomes. The ends of your chromosomes are called telomeres. And the enzyme is called telomerase.
And we're now demonstrating-- we as a human species are now demonstrating in research studies that when people are present for what is,
they actually have higher telomerase. Their telomeres are maintained. And they have more longevity.
So what you do with your mind, which includes your awareness, shapes enzymes that maintain chromosomal tips, shapes
the immune system, shapes your cardiovascular system. And so certainly, stress-related conditions
will be affected by what you do with your mind. Not all disease, by any means, is created by stress
or even worsened by stress. But stress can worsen certain diseases that aren't even caused by stress. Like, inflammatory bowel disease may not be caused by stress.
But stress makes it worse. Some illnesses are caused by stress. So whichever it is, without laying blame,
what we can say is finding a way to empower your mind to create integration inside of itself, the body itself,
and between you and other people-- it's always both-- will help reduce stress and will bring health
into a person's life. [AUDIO LOGO]
mental health behavior
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