Poorly managed stress is a leading contributor to premature death and disease. The physiological link of attitudes and emotions with mental and physical health is clearly established. Our emotions are created in part by our conscious and subconscious thoughts.

       Both thought and emotion trigger the release of neurotransmitters and hormones in our bodies. These messenger molecules travel in our blood streams, and influence multiple aspects of every body system: heart rate and blood pressure, blood sugar levels, smooth and skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation, mental concentration, lung function, immune cell function, emotional expression, pain perception, and even the ability to get pregnant.

       Scientists have also validated that we can consciously change our automatic thoughts; and, therefore, change how we feel emotionally. We can do this through a psychological technique called cognitive restructuring.

       We can also influence the release of neurotransmitters and hormones through using biofeedback, and by doing exercises that elicit our body's relaxation response. There's even research that documents the connection between our physical posture -- head up or down, physically smiling or frowning -- and the production of the parallel emotional state in our mind. You can change your physiology and mood to a more positive state if you simply keep your head up and smile.

       Remember, having medical symptoms that are influenced by thoughts doesn't mean that the symptoms are psychosomatic or "all in the head" -- the symptoms are real, not imagined. It also doesn't mean that thoughts and emotions necessarily cause the underlying disease. Yes, automatic thoughts may unconsciously contribute to, or exacerbate, symptoms - much like poking a finger in a wound that is trying to heal itself. However, there is no valid research that indicates the disease itself -- diabetes, hardening of the arteries, infection, cancer, tissue injury -- is directly caused by our thoughts. It is our repair mechanisms that go out of whack, such as our immune system's ability to work correctly and remove damaged and dysfunctioning cells.

       Many of us walk around with permanent sad or thoughtful looks. Look at as many children as you can today, and notice how many of them are smiling and laughing. Why is this so? Does growing up mean we lose our ability to see all the happiness and humor in the world? No, we simply forget to focus on the present moment. Lost in the pain of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow, we forget to notice the joy and happiness of right now. Somewhere along the way, we began to doubt our ability to handle whatever came our way, or started sacrificing today for the hope of a better tomorrow. All of us have today; only some of us have tomorrow. We need to stay focused on today, and finding every happiness in today.

       The newspaper is filled with stories of untimely accidents and deaths. None of us know whether we have tomorrow or not. My advice is to plan for tomorrow, while making sure you enjoy today. Notice the small moments of pleasure in your everyday life and acknowledge them. Don't ignore the pain and the frustration -- dig for their roots -- but don't ignore the happiness and joy, either!

	"There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word "happy" would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness." Carl Jung

       Some of our pain and frustration comes from the past, but much of it comes from the distorted thinking we learned along the way. Jumping to conclusions, black-and-white thinking, over-generalization, and "poor me" thinking patterns abound in our culture. Some of us have even become "fortune tellers" and "psychics", and think we know what someone is going to say before they ever say it. Have you ever decided to not talk with someone, because you were certain you knew what they'd say? Good thing they accurately read your mind, too -- or didn't they?

       Many of these negative thoughts and distorted thinking patterns are automatic and unconscious. The good news is that we can learn how to bring them into conscious awareness and change them. With practice, the new thought patterns eventually become unconscious and we find ourselves smiling more.

       It is a four step process. We start out unconsciously incompetent, and with awareness we slowly become consciously incompetent. This can be an emotionally painful stage because we can now see what we're doing that isn't working, but we don't yet have the skills or tools to correct for it. As we learn and practice new thinking skills, discover our passion, and quiet our minds we become consciously competent, and eventually unconsciously competent. Now, we go through the world more positively and with greater ease.

	"Happiness is the joy of the heart. Joy is the happiness of the soul." Unknown

       Scientific research on psychoneuroimmunology continues at many reputable medical schools, hospitals and clinics. Clinical physicians are studying the use of mind-body techniques to treat specific disease conditions. As a preventive medicine physician, my question is this, "Why wait for a disease?" If you start now, you can prevent or delay your body's decay.

        A light-hearted life doesn't mean trivializing serious concerns -- it means learning how to smile, laugh and play at the same time or in-between difficult moments. As the "Ice Cream" activity book on this web site demonstrates, you can do serious work and reach important goals while having fun and keeping a playful heart.

       Life may be difficult; we don't always have to take it so seriously.

Dr. Koenig is available for presentations and workshops
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Please see the Program Section for details,
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