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

00:00

Not all disease, by any means, is created by stress, or even worsened by stress. But stress can worsen certain diseases that

00:08

aren't even caused by stress. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:18

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

00:27

to be within awareness, and be present for what is increases the enzyme that maintains

00:35

the ends of your chromosomes. The ends of your chromosomes are called telomeres. And the enzyme is called telomerase.

00:41

And we're now demonstrating-- we as a human species are now demonstrating in research studies that when people are present for what is,

00:48

they actually have higher telomerase. Their telomeres are maintained. And they have more longevity.

00:55

So what you do with your mind, which includes your awareness, shapes enzymes that maintain chromosomal tips, shapes

01:05

the immune system, shapes your cardiovascular system. And so certainly, stress-related conditions

01:13

will be affected by what you do with your mind. Not all disease, by any means, is created by stress

01:20

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.

01:29

But stress makes it worse. Some illnesses are caused by stress. So whichever it is, without laying blame,

01:37

what we can say is finding a way to empower your mind to create integration inside of itself, the body itself,

01:44

and between you and other people-- it's always both-- will help reduce stress and will bring health

01:52

into a person's life. [AUDIO LOGO]